The Minnesota Timberwolves have emerged as another team pursuing restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, adding a new contender to an increasingly competitive market that already includes the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Minnesota has expressed interest in Kuminga after falling short in its pursuit of LeBron James. The Timberwolves have an opening at starting power forward and could use their $6.06 million taxpayer mid-level exception, although the financial gap compared to other suitors remains significant.
Scotto reported that the Lakers currently have “a significantly higher financial offer and longer contract on the table,” while the Cavaliers are also capable of offering Kuminga a substantially larger salary through a sign-and-trade. Even so, Minnesota’s interest is viewed as notable because of the basketball fit alongside its revamped core.
The Timberwolves’ frontcourt underwent major changes this offseason after Julius Randle was traded as part of the deal that brought All-Star guard LaMelo Ball to Minnesota. Randle started all 79 games last season, averaging 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists while shooting 48.1% from the field, leaving a significant vacancy at power forward.
Minnesota finished 49-33 last season, earning the sixth seed in the Western Conference before eliminating the Denver Nuggets in the first round and falling to the eventual Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs in six games during the conference semifinals.
The organization’s offseason has centered on building around 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. The addition of Ball signals a shift toward a more dynamic offensive style, and Kuminga’s athleticism could further complement that approach.
Still only 23 years old, Kuminga has remained one of the most intriguing free agents available. After being traded from the Golden State Warriors to the Atlanta Hawks during the 2025-26 season, he averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 47.6% from the field across 16 games in Atlanta.
His larger body of work suggests even greater upside. During the 2023-24 campaign with Golden State, Kuminga averaged 16.1 points on 52.9% shooting, showcasing his ability to attack the rim, finish in transition and defend multiple positions. Across five NBA seasons, he owns career averages of 12.5 points and 4.2 rebounds.
The Lakers and Cavaliers remain heavily involved in the race. ESPN’s Shams Charania recently reported that any deal for Kuminga will likely require a sign-and-trade, meaning Atlanta would need to cooperate while Kuminga agrees to contract terms with his new team.
Atlanta declined Kuminga’s $24.3 million team option earlier this offseason, making a sign-and-trade the most realistic path to a new contract under the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement. Such an agreement must span at least three seasons, excluding option years, with the first year fully guaranteed.
