As August draws to a close, it is time to close out the market’s pending business. A few days ago Peyton Watson clarified his future, yesterday Bennedict Mathurin had his turn, and overnight Jonathan Kuminga finally decided where he will play in the 2026-27 season. He will land in Minnesota, where, according to Shams Charania, he will sign a two-year deal worth $13 million to help the Timberwolves make the final leap in quality.
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
The deal itself represents a kind of gamble for Kuminga, who initially sought a larger agreement and who, with his player option for the second year, surely hopes to secure it next year. The positive impressions he left in the second half of last season with Atlanta generated interest around him, though not as much as he would have liked; but a strong performance on a high‑seeded team could finally grant him the market status he has been chasing for years.
And these Timberwolves could be, at least on paper, that kind of good team, as this addition completes a promising roster that will now have to be gradually integrated. With talents like Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball and specialists like Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels, Minneapolis already boasted a group capable of giving anyone a scare, and they hope this acquisition helps them finally make the leap from a great team to a true contender.
That leap comes at a high price in the West. But, with their all‑or‑nothing moves, it is almost a mandate.
Other options
Charania also notes that Kuminga chose this option over offers from other teams such as the Lakers, Bulls and Blazers, some of which even reached $13 million per year. These, he says, would have given the forward a similar role in the starting five of the various suitors, although it remains to be seen whether Jonathan will truly have that role with the Timberwolves or if Chris Finch prefers him to come off the bench, providing a spark of energy and scoring off the bench.
During the 2026-27 season, he averaged 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds, with very similar numbers both at the start of his stint with Golden State and at the end of the season in Atlanta. However, with the Hawks, much more inclined to play fast and push the tempo than the Californian teams, he was able to better exploit his transition strengths and become a considerably more efficient player, sketching the profile he may need if he truly wants to find his place in the league.
