The Minnesota Timberwolves have solved their power forward problem. The Wolves have agreed to sign Jonathan Kuminga to a two-year contract for a total of $12.4 million, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
BREAKING: Jonathan Kuminga has agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, plus a player option, agent Aaron Turner tells ESPN. Kuminga will be a starter alongside Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert on the West contender. pic.twitter.com/KdtD6YEy9j
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 26, 2026
Kuminga was traded to the Atlanta Hawks midseason last year, after he spent his first four-plus years in the NBA with Golden State. Still just 23 years old, Kuminga has averaged 12.5 points and 4.2 rebounds over his career but has never had the opportunity to be a full-time starter or consistently log major minutes.
Here’s how he can help the Wolves.
3 Things Jonathan Kuminga Brings to the Timberwolves Elite AthleticismAt 6-foot-7, 225 pounds, Jonathan Kuminga is a bit undersized for a power forward, but his strength, quickness, and leaping ability allow him to guard taller players and compete with them for rebounds. Kuminga gives new Wolves’ point guard LaMelo Ball another uber-athletic option coming down the wing on the fast break, alongside Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels. His rare combination of size and speed allows him to cover a lot of ground both offensively and defensively.
The other power forward the Timberwolves signed this offseason was journeyman Trey Lyles, who played in Europe last year. Lyles is a serviceable stretch-four, but Kuminga is on an entirely different level athletically. Having Kuminga as a starter allows the Timberwolves to bring Lyles off the bench and keep the slender McDaniels in his more natural small-forward spot.
Efficient Three-Level ScoringGolden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (1) dunks the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the third quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Photo Credit: Bill Streicher, Imagn Images via Reuters ConnectKuminga has always been able to get to the basket and finish over bigger players. But he’s also improved his mid-range shooting, and he’s a viable three-point threat at 33.2% for his career. While he’s not a great free-throw shooter, at right around 70% he’s good enough to make teams pay if they try to stop him through sheer physicality. Overall, he’s efficient for a wing, shooting just above 50% from the field for his career.
Loyal Timberwolves fans are probably familiar with Kuminga’s scoring potential after what he did to them during the 2025 Western Conference semifinals. When Warriors superstar Steph Curry went down with an injury in the opening game, Kuminga suddenly found himself in line for a lot more minutes and shots. He took full advantage, averaging 20.3 points on 54.3% shooting (though the Wolves won the series in five games).
Defensive PotentialAt times in his career, Kuminga has looked somewhat disinterested defensively, struggling to stay focused, particularly off the ball. His career defensive rating on Statmuse (which measures points allowed per 100 possessions) is slightly worse than league average. But if he’s motivated, he has all the ingredients to be an above-average defender, as a strong, quick forward with the wingspan of a 7-footer.
He should be motivated given the way the new contract is structured. The second year is reportedly a player option, which means Kuminga can opt out and become a free agent again next year if he increases his market value. Showing that he’s a dedicated defender who can switch positions 1-4 and guard almost anyone on the floor would do that.
The Bottom LineKuminga was a top-10 draft pick for Golden State, but never reached his potential there, ultimately falling out of favor with coach Steve Kerr. In addition to his spotty defense, he sometimes seemed overly enamored with his own offense, refusing to defer even to a superstar like Curry.
But none of that stopped the Timberwolves from pursuing him aggressively, even when it looked like he might be out of their price range. His signing is another big swing for president of basketball operations Tim Connelly after blowing up the team’s frontcourt and bringing in Ball to run the offense. Connelly said he wouldn’t stand pat while the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder take over the Western Conference, and so far this offseason he’s made good on that pledge.
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Photo Credit: Dale Zanine, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
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