The Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves have emerged as the finalists for Jonathan Kuminga, according to Evan Sidery, with both teams offering the 23-year-old forward a starting role but facing very different financial paths.
Sidery reported Friday that the Lakers would need to acquire Kuminga through a sign-and-trade at a larger salary, while Minnesota can offer only the veteran minimum despite presenting a potentially strong basketball fit.
Kuminga averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 36 games during the 2025-26 season, splitting the year between the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks. He shot 46.3% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range in 23.1 minutes per game.
His production was slightly stronger after his move to Atlanta, where he averaged 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 47.6% in 16 appearances. Kuminga also showed a higher ceiling in 2023-24, averaging 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists on 52.9% shooting for Golden State.
The Lakers’ pursuit appears to offer Kuminga the clearer financial advantage. Los Angeles has reportedly explored a sign-and-trade structure that could pay him significantly more than Minnesota’s minimum-level offer, while also placing him in the starting lineup.
That role would address a need for the Lakers after Rui Hachimura’s departure. Kuminga’s ability to play either forward position, attack the basket and provide athleticism would give Los Angeles another option alongside Luka Doncic after the team finished 53-29 last season before being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals.
Minnesota presents a different proposition. The Timberwolves created an opening at power forward when Julius Randle, who started all 79 games last season and averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists, was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in the deal that brought LaMelo Ball to Minnesota.
Kuminga could therefore step directly into a starting role alongside Anthony Edwards, who averaged a career-high 28.8 points while shooting 48.9% from the field and 39.9% from three-point range in 61 games. Minnesota went 49-33, earned the Western Conference’s No. 6 seed and reached the conference semifinals before losing to San Antonio in six games.
The financial gap remains substantial. Kuminga’s camp had reportedly sought a contract worth more than $20 million annually earlier in the offseason, while Minnesota’s current restrictions leave the Timberwolves limited to a minimum offer.
The Lakers, meanwhile, would have to negotiate both Kuminga’s salary and the compensation required to complete a sign-and-trade, which the Hawks are willing to help with. That structure also complicates the situation if Kuminga prefers a shorter contract, as sign-and-trade deals require a minimum three-year agreement.
