Jonathan Kuminga to Timberwolves: Did Minnesota Just Get MUCH Better?

August 27, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

In Miami one offseason, a young Jonathan Kuminga pointed to a spot on the floor and told West Goldberg that was where he hit a Kobe Bryant turnaround fadeaway. The anecdote came up on Locked On NBA Daily because Kuminga just signed a two-year, $12.4 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, turning down more money from the Lakers to bet he can become a starter and re-enter free agency next summer. The hosts spent the episode dissecting whether Minnesota just got a steal or a headache, then pivoted to the Toronto Raptors' potential Kawhi Leonard addition and the Utah Jazz's self-created frontcourt problem.

The Kuminga Gamble in Minnesota

The Timberwolves had a hole at power forward after trading Julius Randle and letting Naz Reid walk. Kuminga fills that spot, and the hosts agreed it is a clear upgrade from having nobody. Matt More specifically called Kuminga a good north-south downhill attacker who fits Minnesota's drive-and-kick offensive identity. He is not a playmaker and is a poor perimeter defender despite having elite physical tools, but the Wolves needed a forward who can create pressure, and he is that.

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What you'll learn

1 Timestamped Outline
2 (00:51) **Show Open & Jonathan Kuminga Headline** - Hosts preview the three main topics: Kuminga to Minnesota, Kawhi to Toronto, and Utah's roster construction
3 (01:48) **Kuminga Signing Breakdown** - Ben Beecken from Locked on Timberwolves explains the deal structure and cap implications
4 (03:12) **Does Kuminga Change Minnesota's Outlook?** - Matt argues the signing is a necessary but unexciting upgrade at power forward
5 (04:45) **Hayes on Kuminga's Ceiling and Floor** - Hayes warns against overhyping the signing while acknowledging the bet-on-himself risk
6 (06:50) **The Julius Randle Comparison** - The hosts debate whether Kuminga's best-case scenario is essentially replicating what Randle provided
7 (08:15) **Kuminga's Decision: Lakers vs. Timberwolves** - Hayes analyzes the risk-reward calculus of choosing Minnesota over Los Angeles

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

West Goldberg

Show Notes

Jonathan Kuminga is headed to Minnesota. Does his arrival make the Timberwolves a legitimate threat to the top of the Western Conference? Wes Goldberg, Matt Moore and Haize break down Kuminga’s surprising two-year deal, why he chose a starting opportunity with the Timberwolves over more money from the Lakers, and what Chris Finch needs from him this season.

Then it’s a double edition of The Rotation Lab. First, the guys build the Toronto Raptors’ opening-night rotation assuming Kawhi Leonard joins Scottie Barnes in Toronto and examine whether that pairing can work. Finally, they head to Utah to figure out a fascinating Jazz roster built around Lauri Markkanen, Darryn Peterson, Ace Bailey and Keyonte George — and determine how much losing Walker Kessler could hurt.

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