Jonathan Kuminga found himself as a notable NBA free-agent target this summer. He ultimately chose the Minnesota Timberwolves despite being heavily linked to the post-LeBron James Los Angeles Lakers.
The former NBA champion now heads north with the goal of bringing a title to Minnesota. In the aftermath, his agent clarified how he came to this decision.
Jonathan Kuminga’s Agent Explains Decision to Steer Clear of Lakers
Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, appeared on “Run It Back” and was interviewed by Chandler Parsons.
Turner was asked how exactly his client ended up in Minnesota over Los Angeles.
Jonathan Kuminga’s agent, Aaron Turner, says JJ Redick had a clear role for JK if he joined the Lakers:
“Minnesota and LA were clearly the two cleanest basketball situations…we just couldn’t find a deal that made sense.”@ChandlerParsons | @arockturner20 pic.twitter.com/n47Fcc9KD6
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) August 29, 2026
“We definitely spent a good amount of time talking with JJ (Redick), and there was a very clean role there at the 4, especially on the offensive side with the spacing,” Turner began.
“It was tough from a basketball perspective between Minnesota and LA. Those were clearly the two cleanest basketball situations that offered different stuff. And obviously the cultural fit in Minnesota is a little different than the cultural fit with the Lakers.”
Kuminga is looking to rebuild his reputation by taking a two-year deal worth just over $12 million. A solid season with the Timberwolves would accomplish that goal and earn him much more.
“From the Lakers’ standpoint, the offer, to me, for what a starting-level wing will be for the next few years, if you’re gonna be below the mid-level, you’re not gonna lock into that for too long,” his agent continued.
“Portland came in aggressively too, gave options of longer term with two, three years with a player option. Part of the problem with a sign-and-trade, which is tricky, the first three years cannot have optionality. So I’m sure Rob [Pelinka] would have said, ‘You guys can do a two-plus-one.’ I think we never really got there.”
Kuminga’s deal is not a big one, but it does show the negotiations that happen for each and every player on the market. His own agent calls him a “starting-level wing,” and that’s how he was negotiating.
“If you’re going to tie somebody up, three years going into their prime as a starting wing, locking in at $12 million in this NBA is pretty decently below the mid-level,” Turner said.
“So it was hard to put it all together. It’s all got to come together, the basketball, if you’re gonna commit somewhere long-term, the basketball and the deal structure we just couldn’t find that spot.”
The NBA is dealing with a new reality of apron levels and being limited in terms of spending. Thus, teams must get creative and truly negotiate with players based on fit and salary. Turner noted how a sign-and-trade with Atlanta became impossible due to the dreaded apron.
Kuminga is now a member of the T’Wolves and will look to lead the team to its first NBA title in franchise history. Doing so would make him a household name in Minnesota and prove he made the right decision to head to the cold for his next NBA stop.
