Jonathan Kuminga Agrees to Two-Year Deal With Timberwolves After Hawks Exit
Jesse M. Cox Published 27/08/2026
Jonathan Kuminga has found his next NBA home, with the former Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks forward agreeing to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The agreement, reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, includes a player option for the second season and gives Kuminga another opportunity to establish himself after a turbulent stretch.
The move is one of the latest developments in NBA News, and it ends a lengthy free-agency process for Kuminga. He reportedly chose Minnesota over the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers, with the shorter contract giving him an opportunity to return to the market sooner.
Key Takeaways
Jonathan Kuminga has signed a two-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, seeking a more consistent role after previous stints with the Warriors and Hawks.
- Jonathan Kuminga has agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, including a player option for the second season.
- Kuminga joins the Timberwolves after a challenging period with the Golden State Warriors and a brief stint with the Atlanta Hawks, where his team option was declined.
- The Timberwolves add Kuminga to address a frontcourt need, hoping his athleticism and scoring potential will complement their new backcourt of LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards.
Kuminga Gets Another Chance After Difficult Stints
Kuminga entered the league as the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, joining the Warriors with considerable expectations. He showed flashes of his ability during his time in Golden State, including a career-best 16.1 points per game during the 2023-24 season, but struggled to secure a consistent role under coach Steve Kerr.
His situation became more complicated last season when his playing time dropped sharply. Kuminga appeared in only seven of his final 38 games with Golden State before being traded to Atlanta in February as part of the deal involving Kristaps Porziņģis. The move closed a difficult chapter with the Warriors and gave him a chance to reset with the Hawks.
Short Run With the Hawks
Kuminga played 16 regular-season games for Atlanta, averaging 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.9 steals per game. He also showed flashes during Atlanta's first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, but the Hawks ultimately decided not to keep him under his existing contract option.
Atlanta declined its $24.3 million team option in June, making Kuminga an unrestricted free agent. The decision gave the Hawks more financial flexibility while allowing Kuminga to explore a new destination. Although Atlanta could have attempted to negotiate a different contract, the two sides ultimately went their separate ways.
The development became another notable part of this summer's NBA News, particularly after months of NBA trades and roster changes involving several contenders. Kuminga's decision now adds another significant move to an offseason that has reshaped his career.
Filling a Frontcourt Need
The Timberwolves entered the offseason with a major hole in their frontcourt after sending Julius Randle and Naz Reid elsewhere as part of their blockbuster deal for LaMelo Ball. Kuminga provides Minnesota with an athletic forward who can attack the basket, finish around the rim and defend multiple positions.
Minnesota is also building around a new-look backcourt featuring Ball and Anthony Edwards. Ball arrived in a major four-team deal with Charlotte, while Edwards remains the centerpiece of the franchise. Kuminga is expected to join them alongside Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert, giving the Timberwolves a significantly different lineup from the one that reached the Western Conference semifinals last season.
For Kuminga, the situation could offer something he has lacked in previous stops: a clearer path to a meaningful role. Minnesota needs production from its forwards, and Kuminga has already demonstrated that he can score efficiently when given opportunities.
His next challenge will be turning those flashes into dependable production while fitting into an offense led by Edwards and Ball. With the Timberwolves trying to remain among the West's contenders, the pressure will be greater than it was during his short Atlanta stint.
The contract also gives Kuminga some control over his future. A player option for the second season means he could return to free agency relatively quickly if he has a strong year in Minnesota.
For the Timberwolves, signing Kuminga is a calculated bet on his potential. For the 23-year-old forward, it may be his most important opportunity yet to prove that the talent that made him a top-seven draft pick can translate into a consistent role on a winning team.
As NBA News continues to focus on the league's rapidly changing rosters, Kuminga's move stands out as a fresh start rather than simply another entry in the list of NBA trades. After Golden State and Atlanta failed to provide long-term stability, Minnesota will hope to be the place where Kuminga finally puts everything together.