Jonathan Kuminga has found his next home, and it’s not with any of the teams most connected to him this summer.
The former Warriors forward has agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves that includes a player option.
His agent, Aaron Turner, informed ESPN’s Shams Charania of the deal Wednesday. Kuminga is expected to step directly into Minnesota’s starting five for the 2026-27 season.
Kuminga Slots In Alongside Anthony Edwards
Kuminga joins a loaded Timberwolves starting group that already includes Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert.
That immediately makes Minnesota one of the more talked-about frontcourts in the Western Conference heading into camp.
Edwards reportedly played a direct role in recruiting Kuminga to Minnesota, giving the young forward a clear voice pushing for the fit.
Landing a starting job on a genuine conference contender is exactly the opportunity Kuminga has been chasing since he broke into the league.
How Kuminga Got Here After Leaving Golden State
The Warriors selected Kuminga with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 draft, and he spent the first five years of his career in the Bay Area. His fit with Golden State grew complicated over time, including a well-documented strained relationship with head coach Steve Kerr.
Kuminga re-signed with the Warriors last September on a two-year, $48.5 million contract that included a team option, a deal built to give both sides flexibility rather than long-term commitment.
That flexibility mattered in February, when Golden State traded Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks as part of the deal that brought Kristaps Porzingis to the Warriors.
Kuminga never cracked a full-time role in Atlanta, appearing in 16 games and averaging 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists in just over 22 minutes per night.
The Hawks ultimately declined his $24.3 million team option in June, sending him back onto the open market.
Other Teams Circled Before Minnesota Won Out
Kuminga drew real interest elsewhere before choosing the Timberwolves.
He reportedly fielded offers from the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers, but opted for Minnesota’s shorter-term structure and immediate starting role over those other opportunities.
The two-year framework mirrors the approach he took with Golden State a year ago, prioritizing a quicker path back to unrestricted free agency over a longer guaranteed deal. It’s a bet on himself proving his value again on a winning roster.
What Comes Next for Kuminga and the Timberwolves
Minnesota now heads into next season with a retooled, deeper roster built around Edwards, and Kuminga gives the Timberwolves another athletic scoring option alongside their core group.
How quickly he settles into a starting role will be one of the more interesting storylines to track in training camp.
There’s already a natural early measuring stick on the calendar. Kuminga and the Timberwolves face his former team, the Warriors, in Golden State’s fifth game of the 2026-27 season, on Oct. 28 in Minnesota.
