Jonathan Kuminga turned down a multi-year offer from the Lakers, opting to instead sign a two-year, $12.4 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
ESPN insider Brian Windhorst has now revealed why the 2022 NBA champion decided to turn down the security of a longer-term contract in favor of a smaller deal.
Insider Reveals Why Jonathan Kuminga Turned Down Lakers’ Deal
Kuminga became an unrestricted free agent this summer after the Atlanta Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option. The 6-foot-7 forward drew interest from the Lakers, who were reportedly offering him a contract worth more than $12 million annually. They wanted to make him a starter and were looking to bring him in via a sign-and-trade.
However, he opted for a short-term contract with the Timberwolves, where he will play alongside LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, and Rudy Gobert.
Windhorst explained the rationale of Kuminga rejecting the Lakers and opting for a shorter deal with the Timberwolves.
“The Lakers were interested in bringing him in via sign and trade. And all sign and trades have to be at least for three years, I believe. And Kuminga didn’t want to be in a three-year deal. So this is one of those things where yes he turned down more money, but he turned down more money understandably. So he’s betting on himself,” Windhorst said on the “Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective” on Friday.
Brian Windhorst says Jonathan Kuminga is betting on himself:
“He made $20 million last year, he’ll make about $6m and change which is about mid level money. The Lakers were interested in bringing him in via sign and trade. And all sign and trades have to be at least for three… pic.twitter.com/Sb3FqU0wWy
— JayTakes (@SportsWithJay0) August 28, 2026
Kuminga has seen his market value drop dramatically over the last two years. The 23-year-old turned down a three-year, $75.2 million extension offer with the Warriors before later being traded to the Hawks at this year’s deadline.
Across 36 games for the Hawks and the Warriors last season, Kuminga averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.
The former No. 7 draft pick’s points average was well short of the career-high 16.1 points he averaged during the 2023/24 season. His field goal percentage dipped to 46.3%, while his three-point shooting also saw a noticeable regression at 33.3%.
The coming year will be a crucial one for Kuminga as he looks to rediscover his form and return to his best. He will likely play a key role on the Timberwolves team that is looking to contend for the NBA championship next season, and he hopes that playing alongside Edwards and Ball will give him the opportunity to enhance his market value and reputation in the coming months.
