Jonathan Kuminga Says Why Chris Finch Is a Great Coach for Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves are going into the 2026-2027 season with the intention of getting over the hump and making a run for the NBA Championship. They traded for former Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball and they signed various players to build a competitive roster around star player Anthony Edwards. 

They traded away forwards Naz Reid and Julius Randle this offseason, and it left a hole at the power forward spot. To combat this, they signed former Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga to a two-year, $12.4 million contract. 

Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch has built a strong relationship with Kuminga leading up to the season, and Kuminga praised Finch for the way he communicates with him. 

“It’s been great, I think he’s a vocal person, he’ll express himself, he’ll pull you to the side and he’ll listen to you… I think his communication has been great so far,"

What makes Jonathan Kuminga a good fit with Minnesota is the limited role he'll have because of the attention that will go to the backcourt. His athleticism makes this lineup versatile. 

Kuminga can drive to the basket, defend stretch the floor, and he won't have to do anything that he has not done before for Minnesota to succeed. 

This upcoming season is a big opportunity for him to revive his career as well. Jonathan Kuminga had an awkward exit with the Golden State Warriors, the team that drafted him, and with the Atlanta Hawks, he had his ups and downs. 

With a team-friendly deal and a competitive lineup, Kuminga has the chance to find his role in the NBA and figure out his true identity as a player. The addition of LaMelo Ball helps in terms of scoring as Ball is known for finding big men in the right places and setting them up for success. 

Another piece of this roster that will help take pressure off Kuminga is Ayo Dosunmu. Dosunmu has had big scoring games with Minnesota, and he could be another X-Factor for the starting lineup. 

If Chris Finch can maximize Kuminga on the Timberwolves, that gives his squad a lot of leverage on the frontcourt. He can play at a faster pace than most players at his position and has a lot more versatility than the average power forward as well. 

It will be interesting to see how Kuminga fits with this roster and what his role will be by the end of the season.