When the Lakers want a player, he usually ends up arriving. It isn’t about magic –as Earving Johnson has done before–, but rather the undeniable fact that playing in gold and purple is unlike doing so for any other franchise. Well, Jonathan Kuminga bucked that unwritten rule by choosing to sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Why? His agent, Aaron Turner, explains it.
After months of rumors, the young wing agreed to a two-year deal worth 12.4 million dollars with the Wolves, a decision he made despite the strong interest from California and knowing that Portland would offer him more money. Yes, the Wolves convinced him, and not with money.
«It’s true that we spent a substantial amount of time talking with JJ Redick and we knew there was a very clear role for him playing the four, especially on the offensive side with the spacing,» Turner notes, highlighting what Los Angeles offered him; however, they did not reach the level of commitment that Minnesota conveyed.
«Minnesota and LA were clearly the two most straightforward basketball situations, even though they offered different things. Obviously the cultural fit in Minnesota is a bit different from that of the Lakers. As for the latter, it was obvious that the offer didn’t align with what would be a starting wing in the coming years, since being below the mid-level you aren’t going to commit for a long time», he emphasizes.
Jonathan Kuminga’s Conclusion
The negotiation with the Lakers collapsed because they wanted a long-term commitment while paying little. Aaron Turner notes that Rob Pelinka would have put a 2+1 on the table, but they never would have gone down that road.
«It was hard to lay everything on the table and make a decision. Everything has to fit: basketball, whether you’re committing long-term, and the structure of the deal… We simply could not find that point. We couldn’t make it make sense with the Lakers», he states.
Minnesota, All In
Far from the back-and-forth with the gold and purple, the negotiations with the Timberwolves were consistently smooth, and not only in terms of the contract, but also in vibes. Aaron Turner underlines that both he and Jonathan Kuminga felt that everyone in the building was eager for him to join the team.
«Las conversaciones con Anthony Edwards y Chris Finch… con el propietario, GM, con el cuerpo técnico, con las estrellas… Todos estaban en total alineación en que Kuminga era el jugador que querían», finalizes.
