Lakers Miss Out as Jonathan Kuminga Picks Timberwolves After Free-Agent Battle
Jesse M. Cox Published 01/09/2026
Jonathan Kuminga's long free-agency saga has finally come to an end, and the Los Angeles Lakers are not getting the former Golden State Warriors champion they spent much of the offseason pursuing. After weeks of NBA trades, negotiations and trade rumors and speculation, Kuminga has agreed to a two-year, $12.4 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to ESPN and Reuters.
The decision closes one of the more closely watched stories of the offseason. The Lakers and Timberwolves were among the final teams competing for the 23-year-old forward, with Los Angeles reportedly viewed as a serious destination for much of the process. Earlier reports even suggested Kuminga preferred the Lakers, making Minnesota's eventual victory a notable turn in the NBA offseason.
Key Takeaways
Jonathan Kuminga has signed a two-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, spurning the Los Angeles Lakers who had pursued him throughout the offseason.
- The Los Angeles Lakers were heavily pursuing Jonathan Kuminga but ultimately missed out on signing him, as he chose the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- A sign-and-trade deal that the Lakers explored with the Atlanta Hawks faced obstacles, reportedly due to Atlanta's unwillingness to take on Lakers player Jarred Vanderbilt.
- Kuminga's two-year contract with the Timberwolves includes a player option, giving him flexibility and control over his future free agency, rather than a longer deal with the Lakers.
Lakers Fall Short in Kuminga Pursuit
The Lakers had been linked to Kuminga for weeks and reportedly explored a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks. Los Angeles needed Atlanta to participate because Kuminga's situation involved more complicated salary considerations, but the Hawks were reportedly not interested in taking on Jarred Vanderbilt. That forced the Lakers to explore additional teams and possible NBA trades to create a workable deal.
At one point, Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer said the decision appeared to be coming down to Minnesota or Los Angeles. Fischer also indicated that Kuminga seemed to prefer the Lakers, giving Los Angeles reason to believe it had a strong chance of completing the signing. Those reports fueled plenty of trade rumors and speculation surrounding where the young forward would eventually land.
The Lakers also viewed Kuminga as a potential answer at power forward. His athleticism, ability to attack the basket and experience playing alongside high-level talent made him an appealing fit next to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Los Angeles reportedly believed he could step into a starting role and provide more athleticism to its frontcourt.
A Complicated Sign-and-Trade Became a Problem
The Lakers' interest was never enough by itself to guarantee a deal. A sign-and-trade required the Hawks and potentially other teams to agree to the structure, while Los Angeles also had to find a financial arrangement that worked for everyone involved.
Reports indicated that Atlanta's reluctance to take Vanderbilt became one of the obstacles. The Lakers explored potential facilitators and draft compensation, but the complicated negotiations ultimately did not produce an agreement before Kuminga made his decision.
That is where the latest NBA trades and trade rumors and speculation surrounding Kuminga finally gave way to an official answer. Instead of joining Los Angeles, the young forward chose Minnesota and a shorter contract that gives him greater control over his future.
Timberwolves Win the Race
Kuminga's two-year, $12.4 million agreement with Minnesota includes a player option for the second season. The structure gives him an opportunity to return to free agency relatively soon rather than committing to a longer contract, potentially allowing him to pursue a larger payday if he has a strong season.
The Timberwolves also have a clear need for a forward following changes to their roster. Kuminga gives Minnesota another athletic option who can attack the rim, run in transition and create pressure around the basket.
The move could also provide Kuminga with a chance to rebuild his value. He averaged 12.2 points during the 2025-26 season across 36 games with Golden State and Atlanta, while his best scoring season came in 2023-24, when he averaged 16.1 points per game. Over his career, he has averaged 12.5 points and 4.2 rebounds in 294 games.
Kuminga Chooses Control Over a Bigger Deal
The Lakers reportedly offered Kuminga more money over three years, but Minnesota gave him a shorter deal with a quicker return to free agency. That flexibility could help Kuminga rebuild his value in Minnesota before potentially testing the market again after the 2026-27 season.
The move also shows how quickly NBA free agency can change. The Lakers were once viewed as favorites, but Minnesota ultimately won the race. For Los Angeles, the search for another frontcourt player continues, while Kuminga gets a fresh start with the Timberwolves.