Jonathan Kuminga Sends First Message to Timberwolves Fans

Jonathan Kuminga's first words to his new fans took less than eight seconds.

The Minnesota Timberwolves posted a short video on their X account on Monday night with a caption calling it a message from JK, and the new forward used it to let the city know he had landed and was ready to work.

It was his first message to the fan base since landing in Minnesota, and it came three days after the signing became official.

Kuminga said, "Wolves fans, this is JK here. Just landed in Minneapolis. I'm excited to get here and get to work. See you guys soon."

Kuminga officially signed on Friday, and the deal is two years with a player option on the second season, which reports have placed between $12.4 million and $13 million.

Shams Charania of ESPN reported that he chose Minnesota over offers from the Lakers, Bulls and Trail Blazers, and that the Los Angeles offer would have paid him $12 million-plus a year over three seasons in a similar starting role.

Taking less money on a shorter deal is a bet on himself, because the player option lets him hit the market again next summer if this season goes well.

His agent, Aaron Turner, told Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic that Anthony Edwards was active in recruiting him and that the defensive versatility of the roster was the deciding factor.

The front office has already pushed back on the idea that he cannot defend, and that is the version of Kuminga the Wolves are paying for.

Last season was messy for him, as he played 36 games between the Warriors and Hawks and averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 23.1 minutes, with only 14 starts.

Golden State traded him to Atlanta in February in the deal for Kristaps Porzingis, and the Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option in June, which is how a 23-year-old former No. 7 pick ended up signing for a fraction of that number.

Minnesota needed him because the moves that brought in LaMelo Ball sent Julius Randle and Naz Reid out, and the projected starting five is now Ball, Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Kuminga and Rudy Gobert.

There is a real case that Ball's passing can unlock him in the open floor, because Kuminga at his best is a scorer who comes downhill and finishes through contact.

The Wolves went 49-33 last season, finished sixth in the West and lost to the Spurs in the second round, so this team wants Kuminga to help it take one more step rather than carry it.

The rotation is mostly set, but the thin spot behind Gobert is still there, and the center turned 34 in June after playing 76 games last season, so Kuminga will have to hold up as a small-ball option some nights.

He will wear No. 24, and the message he sent Monday was short, but the next one comes on the floor, and that one decides whether his summer bet pays off.