The Minnesota Timberwolves added to their roster this week, signing Jonathan Kuminga to a two-year, $12 million deal with a player option.

The Timberwolves used their taxpayer mid-level exception to get the deal done. Kuminga had interest from the Los Angeles Lakers, but he reportedly declined their offer worth $10 million annually earlier in the offseason. Even later in the offseason, Kuminga could’ve gotten more money from the Lakers, but it would have been through a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks.

The parameters of a sign-and-trade between the Hawks and Lakers looked to be complicated, and Kuminga ultimately decided he wasn’t going to wait around any longer, choosing to sign with the Timberwolves after a heavy recruiting pitch from the organization.

The question isn’t “will he,” because that appears to be a foregone conclusion. The Timberwolves sold Kuminga on the fact that he would be one of the starters next to LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert.

But should he?

That’s also a foregone conclusion, as he 100% should.

Kuminga fits in perfectly with the other four starters, rounding out a group that should overwhelm a lot of teams with their pace and athleticism.

On offense, the majority of Kuminga’s points come off drives. He averaged 6.2 drives per game, shooting 46% on drives, and scoring 58% of his points off drives. When he’s not driving the ball, he’s cutting and looking for the ball. 30% of his overall shots came in the restricted area.

On defense, both the Hawks and Warriors were better defensive teams with him on the floor last year.

The other two options would be Trey Lyles or Ayo Dosunmu.

Dosunmu makes sense considering the contract he signed in the offseason and his offensive talent, but it would make the Timberwolves a small team with McDaniels playing the four. The Timberwolves will go to this lineup throughout the season, but it’s not a sustainable starting lineup.

It also weakens their bench, as Dosunmu proved to be a dynamite scorer off the bench when he was acquired at the trade deadline.

Trey Lyles was brought in after the team traded Naz Reid and Julius Randle, but he spent last year overseas, and while his three-point shooting looked better, there are concerns of regression now that he’s back in the NBA.

His defensive numbers are also underwhelming, and he would’ve been a clear weak point in the starting lineup.

Kuminga is a perfect fit for this Minnesota starting lineup