Jonathan Kuminga is officially headed to Minneapolis, signing a two-year, $13 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves. This move comes right after the Hawks officially declined his team option back in June, setting him loose as a free agent. It wraps up what has been a wild, tumultuous exit from Golden State and a short stint in Atlanta.
From Golden State Chaos to Atlanta Averages
Talk about a rollercoaster. The Warriors picked Kuminga No. 7 overall out of the G League back in 2021, and things just never quite clicked. He reportedly had a “rough run” in Golden State, getting largely sidelined during the first half of last season. Can you believe he only played in 20 games for them before he was dealt? The guy actually requested a trade as soon as he was eligible to be moved, that’s how ready he was for a change. He ended up getting traded to the Hawks ahead of the deadline, a deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Warriors. Before all this, Kuminga had inked a two-year, $46.8 million deal with the Warriors ahead of the 2025-26 season, with a potential out this summer. He took that out.
After landing in Atlanta, Kuminga did get some run, playing 16 games with the Hawks. He averaged a solid 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest there. The Hawks finished 46-36 and actually made the playoffs for the first time under head coach Quin Snyder, but they ended up getting bounced in the first round. His departure from the Hawks arrives right after they made a bunch of their own moves, picking up forward Aaron Wiggins from Oklahoma City and then drafting Kingston Flemings, Zuby Ejiofor, and Henri Veesaar. Clearly, a new direction was coming in Atlanta.
A New Start in Minneapolis With a Playoff Contender
Now, Kuminga has a fresh slate with the Timberwolves, and this is a serious chance for him to make some noise. He apparently chose Minnesota over “similar offers” from the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, and Portland Trail Blazers. That tells you he’s looking for the right fit, not just the highest bidder. He is sliding into a Timberwolves team that went 49-33 last season, clinching a playoff spot for the fifth straight time under head coach Chris Finch. They even made it to the conference semifinals, so this isn’t some rebuilding squad. Kuminga is going to get to play alongside legit stars like Anthony Edwards and new point guard LaMelo Ball.
This deal has all the makings of a low-risk, high-reward move for the Timberwolves, and it is a massive opportunity for Kuminga himself. His time with the Hawks and Warriors might not have been a smooth ride, but joining a consistent playoff team with this kind of talent around him could totally unlock his potential. What kind of impact can he have stepping into that lineup? We are about to find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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