There’s a lot to like about the Timberwolves’ recent addition of Jonathan Kuminga, who took less money in choosing Minnesota over the Lakers and other offers. It is objectively great value to get a player with his size, athleticism, and talent for just the $6.1 million taxpayer midlevel exception.
Kuminga, who turns 24 in October, gives the Wolves the physical forward they needed to round out their stacked starting five. There’s a reason why Anthony Edwards, Tim Connelly, Chris Finch, Alex Rodriguez and others reportedly engaged in a heavy recruitment effort that ultimately convinced the former No. 7 overall pick to join what they’re building.
But there’s a condition to the excitement that has to be emphasized. In order for this to work and for the Wolves to maximize what they can be this season, Kuminga has to buy in and accept a specific kind of role. Whether or not he’s willing and able to do that remains a question mark coming off of his five years with the Warriors.
The Timberwolves don’t need Kuminga to be a featured scorer and high usage isolation player. The Warriors didn’t need that either, but Steve Kerr and his staff struggled at times to get him to fit in next to Steph Curry and their other stars. That dynamic is one reason why it didn’t work out as well as it could’ve with Golden State, who traded Kuminga to the Hawks in February.
Within the Wolves’ starting five, Kuminga will be the fourth offensive option behind Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, and Jaden McDaniels. Rudy Gobert will also need his looks at the rim. To optimize that star-studded lineup, Kuminga has to be willing to move the ball when he gets it, cut to the rim, and take open catch-and-shoot threes. He can attack closeouts and drive when the opportunities are there, but the ball can’t regularly stick when he receives it.
In theory, Kuminga’s size and elite athleticism should make him a weapon for the Wolves in transition, where Ball can push the pace and find teammates before the defense is set. Kuminga is also a high-level defensive rebounder, which Minnesota needs. He has the tools to be an excellent on-ball and team defender when he’s committed. Regardless of his role on offense, Kuminga can have a huge impact on defense if he buys into that side.
There will be moments where he can take on more responsibility on offense, especially if he first buys into what the Wolves are going to ask of him. When he’s on the floor with Minnesota’s second unit, Kuminga should have more freedom to tap into his dynamic scoring ability. This is a guy who averaged 20.8 points off the bench for the Curry-less Warriors in their 2025 second-round series against the Wolves.
If he were to play 35 minutes a night on a team like the Nets or Kings, Kuminga could absolutely average over 20 points per game. But that’s not what Minnesota needs. Edwards is their alpha scorer, with Ball and McDaniels behind him in the pecking order. Ayo Dosunmu, who is expected to be the Wolves’ sixth man, needs his shots too.
The tricky part for Kuminga is that this is a prove-it season for him. He and his agent have turned down more lucrative contract offers, both in the past and this year, as a bet on his talent. With a player option in year two of his Wolves contract, Kuminga will likely be back on the market next summer. For that reason, it may be hard for him not to think about his offensive numbers.
What the Wolves have to emphasize to Kuminga is that buying into a lesser offensive role and contributing to winning in different ways will improve his future earnings more than hunting shots and continuing to have the same issues he had in Golden State. He has a chance to rewrite the narrative of his career by embracing this opportunity in Minnesota.
If he’s willing to do it, Kuminga could be the final piece of the puzzle that gets the Wolves over the hump in the Western Conference. If he’s not, Finch can’t be afraid to dial back his minutes in order to prevent him from becoming a detriment.
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This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Aug 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Timberwolves section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.