The Timberwolves win the Jonathan Kuminga sweepstakes.
The Minnesota Timberwolves found their frontcourt help, landing on unrestricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga.
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Kuminga has signed a two-year, $13 million deal with the Timberwolves.
Kuminga is expected to be part of the starting lineup alongside LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and Jaden McDaniels.
What was once a strength of the team has become a gap after they traded Naz Reid and Julius Randle at the start of the offseason. While Randle was salary-dumped to the Brooklyn Nets, the Timberwolves did add Ball from the Charlotte Hornets.
Kuminga was an unrestricted free agent after the Atlanta Hawks declined his team option at the start of free agency. Kuminga was acquired by the Hawks from the Golden State Warriors at the trade deadline.
Between the Hawks and Warriors, Kuminga played in 36 games last season, averaging 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.
How Kuminga Landed In Minnesota
The Timberwolves had eyed Kuminga for weeks as they searched for someone to join their frontcourt and possibly be in the starting lineup. They had competition from the Los Angeles Lakers, who also had their sights set on Kuminga and were willing to offer him a starting spot as well.
The Timberwolves had $6 million of their mid-level exception left that they could offer Kuminga, while the Lakers would have had to facilitate a sign-and-trade with the Hawks to bring Kuminga to the squad.
A sign-and-trade would've netted Kuminga more money, but also would've been more complicated and likely would've turned into a multi-team deal as the Hawks are two players over the roster limit and reportedly don’t want to be over the tax line. Taking back another contract and salary would have put them over the tax line.
How Does Kuminga Help?
Kuminga has his flaws as a player, but he's a tremendous fit in this current starting lineup.
He's a versatile and athletic defender who should thrive with a rim protector like Gobert behind him. Ball might be a weak link defensively, but Edwards and McDaniels are strong defenders, and adding Kuminga makes the group even better.
On the offensive end, he's not a strong outside shooter, but he gets to the rim and will run in transition. With Edwards and Ball, the Timberwolves have a chance to be one of the best teams in transition as Gobert can grab the board and get it to any other starter to get up the court and into offense.
Before signing Kuminga, the Timberwolves were going to rely on Trey Lyles and Joan Beringer as their frontcourt options. Now those two slide down in the rotation, putting them in better spots with less pressure as well.
