Chris Finch Praises Jonathan Kuminga for Accepting New Role With Timberwolves

This offseason, the Minnesota Timberwolves have tried to upgrade their roster to make a deep playoff run. They added guard LaMelo Ball from the Charlotte Hornets via trade, extended guard Ayo Dosunmu to a long-term deal, and they signed former Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga to a two-year deal. 

The addition of Kuminga was overlooked by many when the news broke, but this was a move Minnesota made to fill a void at the power forward position. With the versatility on this new-look Timberwolves roster, Kuminga can take on a lesser role with the team, and according to head coach Chris Finch, that transition has been seamless. 

"You know, I think he knows who we need him to be, he’s really kind of leaned into that and it’s been really good. He had a pretty good feel for the game, like he’s a better passer than I thought from afar, defense has been really good," Finch said. 

Playing alongside a guard like LaMelo Ball will help Jonathan Kuminga have a comfortable role offensively. Ball is a player who averages over 7 assists per game in his career, and he could mesh well with Kuminga this season. 

Kuminga likes to play downhill and attack the basket, and Ball has played with forwards who have similar play styles in the past and have benefited from his playmaking skills. 

Another aspect that helps Kuminga is that he's not a focal point of this offense. With Atlanta, he was given a lot of opportunities to score and handle the ball, but with Minnesota, he will likely be a fourth option. 

What Minnesota needs Jonathan Kuminga to be is a selfless player on both ends of the floor. If he can play consistent defense and find ways to get others involved on the other side of the ball, there's a good chance the Timberwolves make it far. 

Kuminga has all the tools to be the solid all-around player Minnesota looks for. He has played with a lot of veteran forwards in his career, and now, with less pressure on him to do well, he could easily fulfill his role on the team. 

Minnesota will be a team that will like to shoot from the perimeter and defend the area with a lot of intensity. He has the ability to spread the floor, and it will be interesting to see how the Timberwolves use Kuminga defensively.