Jonathan Kuminga's free agent odyssey ended with a Minnesota Timberwolves contract for one main reason.
The Chicago Bulls have found themselves among a long list of teams looking to add more talent to their roster before October's start to the 2026-27 NBA season, but things haven't necessarily gone their way this week.
Previously, Chicago missed out on potentially signing former Los Angeles Clippers athletic two-way guard Bennedict Mathurin, who was snapped up by the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Bulls also missed out on Atlanta Hawks and former Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, who signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday.
According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the Bulls were among three other teams that offered the Hawks forward a deal, and his choice came down to one key variable.
Apr 30, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) shoots past Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) in the second quarter during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Why Kuminga Chose Timberwolves
Kuminga's deal with the Timberwolves is valued at two years and $13 million dollars, Charania said on Wednesday as it was announced.
It includes a player option and will likely make him a starter alongside Anthony Davis, Jaden McDaniels, Rudy Gobert and LaMelo Ball, the ESPN insider also reported.
Kuminga's choice of the Timberwolves ultimately came down to his desire for a core tenet in his contract: freedom, Charania intimated.
He will also have the chance to start on a contending team alongside established stars in comparison to the Bulls, who are still building from the ground up around Matas Buzelis and rookie Caleb Wilson.
"Kuminga chose the Timberwolves over offers from the Lakers, Bulls, and Trail Blazers, bypassing a similar starting role and $12 M-plus annually over three years in L.A. to land in Minnesota for a shorter-term deal and an ability to have more control over his future, sources said," Charania wrote on X.
Kuminga will now play in the Western Conference while the Bulls continue to search for potential upgrades to their 2026-27 roster.
Bulls a Landing Spot for Pelicans Guard?
The Bulls could be a landing spot for Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins according to Elias Schuster of Sports Illustrated, who floated his name out after the Wolves' Kuminga signing.
Hawkins averaged a career-high 10.8 points per game in 2024-25 in New Orleans but has shot an abysmal 37.4% from the field during three NBA seasons.
Last season, he averaged 5.1 points per game in just over 50 contests and shot 34.8% from beyond the three-point arc.
Hawkins is a former University of Connecticut star who was selected 14th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, but his NBA days appear to be skating on thin ice.
A change of scenery could do wonders for the streaky shooting guard, who appeared much more comfortable in college than he has in New Orleans so far.
"The Pelicans have been looking to move off Jordan Hawkins for quite some time, and he fits in the Bulls' room exception!" Schuster wrote.
"Now with Bennedict Mathurin coming in, they may be even more inclined to incentivize soemone to take the guard.
"(Bulls Executive VP of Basketball Operations) Bryson Graham is ready for the call!" Schuster added.
