When NBA free agency opened in early June, no one expected the Minnesota Timberwolves to be major players. Surprisingly, they were in the chase to sign LeBron James right up until the moment he decided to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers instead.
While James would have been a bargain-bin signing, now that the Wolves missed out on their top target, president of basketball operations Tim Connelly has moved on to his next obsession.
Timberwolves Still Fishing for Jonathan Kuminga
The Timberwolves weren’t able to reel James into the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but head coach Chris Finch still needs a new starting power forward.
All-Star Julius Randle was traded, which opened the door for former Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid. But the Timberwolves promptly traded the fan favorite to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for LaMelo Ball instead.
So, who’s next?
According to HoopsHype, the Timberwolves have “expressed interest” in signing Kuminga using their full mid-level exception of $6.06 million.
Kuminga signed a two-year, $46.8 million contract with the Golden State Warriors last offseason. But the Atlanta Hawks, who landed him ahead of last season’s trade deadline, declined Kuminga’s $24.3 million team option.
Would he have interest in playing for so much less money in Minnesota? Better yet, would adding him to an already star-studded starting five even be fair?
The NBA world doesn’t seem to think so.
One user on X suggested that the Timberwolves could have the “best athletic trio” in the NBA. Though, they questioned how the front office could make the money work.
“Is Ant, McDaniels, and Kuminga about to be the best athletic trio in the league? Then you have Melo at point my goodness, I don’t think the money is gonna work tho.”
Is Ant, McDaniels, and Kuminga about to be the best athletic trio in the league? Then you have Melo at point my goodness, I don’t think the money is gonna work tho. https://t.co/CQEpxSnca8
— Koks💯 (@Koks7_) July 31, 2026
The Los Angeles Lakers are lurking as a potential sign-and-trade solution for Kuminga. But at least LeBron James’ close friend ‘Cuffs the Legend’ believes Kuminga would find a better fit in Minnesota, with their up-tempo attack led by LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards.
“Kuminga on the TWolves is a better basketball fit than Kuminga on the Lakers. JK needs to play with an uptempo athletic team who loves to push the pace and RUN 👀.”
Kuminga on the TWolves is a better basketball fit than Kuminga on the Lakers
JK needs to play with an uptempo athletic team who loves to push the pace and RUN 👀 https://t.co/ivvgRHPMja
— 73-9 and THEY LIED (@CuffsTheLegend) July 31, 2026
One account playfully suggested that Kuminga is just a 6-foot-7 version of Edwards, and pairing them together would be a dangerous duo.
“Ant Edwards and 6’7 Ant Edwards. League is not ready”
Ant Edwards and 6’7 Ant Edwards. League is not ready https://t.co/gQaA9JsowN
— SpaceGang Hmmmy (@hmmmmkay) July 31, 2026
An account even acknowledged that while they “don’t like Kuminga,” he’d be “tough” on the Timberwolves. In youngster talk, that means he’d be a great fit.
“I don’t like Kuminga but on minne he’d be tough. Melo, Ant, JK, Mcdaniels, Gobert. Would give a lot of teams headaches”
I don’t like Kuminga but on minne he’d be tough.
Melo
Ant
JK
Mcdaniels
GobertWould give a lot of teams headaches https://t.co/t7BI71gYzi
— Lex (@badbeatslex) July 31, 2026
Another account chiming in agreed that the new-look Timberwolves would be an ideal landing spot for the 23-year-old former first-round pick.
“This would be 🔥 for the wolves.”
This would be 🔥 for the wolves https://t.co/Vr0GsuoXzi
— Beeezy 🎒 (@BeeezyBanks) July 31, 2026
Whether the Timberwolves can convince the seventh overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft to join their crew is unknown at this time. Yet, he’d easily be their best option to start at power forward, allowing Jaden McDaniels to play his more natural position at small forward.
Suddenly, the Wolves would have a very formidable starting five, one that might be able to go on another deep playoff run. The question is, does the former NBA champion feel the same way, or can he find a better overall fit elsewhere?
