Jonathan Kuminga had multiple offers on the table as a free agent this summer, including from the Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Chicago Bulls.
But the young forward chose the Minnesota Timberwolves instead, signing a two-year deal worth $12.4 million with a player option for the second season. That decision raised questions about what Kuminga saw in the Timberwolves.
Weighing in on the move, Former Coach of the Year Sam Mitchell offered his explanation, emphasizing that the Timberwolves gave Kuminga a situation that could bring out his best.
Sam Mitchell Details How Jonathan Kuminga Strengthens the Timberwolves
Kuminga’s move to Minnesota gives him a chance to play alongside Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball while joining one of the league’s stronger defensive groups.
Mitchell, the 2007 Coach of the Year, discussed Kuminga’s decision on SiriusXM and quickly pointed to the same talent group surrounding the forward.
“I like this decision,” Mitchell said. “It puts you playing with LaMelo and Anthony. So you got two guys that can make you better.”
The biggest appeal could be the combination of Ball and Edwards. Mitchell noted that Ball can create open looks with his passing, while Edwards can put constant pressure on defenses, particularly in transition.
“Like LaMelo or not, he can pass the basketball. He can pass you open,” Mitchell said. “Also, look at the defense you got behind you. You got Rudy.”
“It puts them closer to being one of those teams that you now can say can come out of the West.”
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Likewise, Mitchell also emphasized that the Timberwolves are now without Julius Randle and Naz Reid, who both left during the Timberwolves’ offseason roster shakeup.
“They needed a scoring forward,” Mitchell said. “When you’ve lost Julius Randle and Naz Reid, my question was, where were they going to get that scoring from that forward position?”
The 23-year-old forward is a strong finisher. He can also help without the ball with his cutting, slashing, and ability to create space for other players.
Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, offered a similar explanation when speaking with Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. Turner said the decision was driven primarily by Minnesota’s defensive versatility, rather than Kuminga chasing offensive numbers.
“He made this decision because of the defensive versatility of this team,” Turner said.
That mindset could be important for Kuminga as he enters a new situation. Kuminga will now join Edwards, Ball, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert in Minnesota’s starting group.
The fit at power forward may not be perfect, but Minnesota has enough surrounding talent to make Kuminga’s strengths useful.
For Mitchell, that combination makes the signing more than a simple roster addition.
“This is, it don’t get much better,” Mitchell added.
The Timberwolves finished last season with a 49-33 record, finishing sixth in the West. While they advanced to the second round of the 2026 NBA playoffs, they fell to the San Antonio Spurs 4-2.
It will be interesting to see how the combination of Edwards, Ball, Gobert, and Kuminga gives the Timberwolves a chance to lay a strong claim to the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, which has eluded them so far.
