The Los Angeles Lakers had the bigger offer. Jonathan Kuminga signed in Minneapolis anyway.

Kuminga has agreed to a two-year deal worth $12.4 million with the Minnesota Timberwolves, including a player option on the second season that puts him back in unrestricted free agency in 2027, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Wednesday, citing agent Aaron Turner. The agreement ended a summer-long stalemate over Kuminga’s future and gave Minnesota a versatile forward on a short commitment.

Bigger Lakers money passed up

Los Angeles pushed hard. The Lakers offered a sign-and-trade at three years and more than $12 million per season, a package with more guaranteed money and a longer term than anything Minnesota could match. Kuminga turned it down, along with interest from the Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers, to accept the Timberwolves’ shorter contract.

The trade-off is control. Keeping the term to two years with a player option puts Kuminga back on the free-agent market in 2027, this time with a full season as a starter for a contender behind him.

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Edwards and Ball led the recruiting push

Anthony Edwards and newly acquired LaMelo Ball were both vocal parts of Minnesota’s pitch. Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly flew to Miami earlier this month for a four-hour in-person meeting with Kuminga, and head coach Chris Finch spoke with him about the role.

That role is set. Kuminga is penciled in at power forward alongside Edwards, Ball, Jaden McDaniels and center Rudy Gobert, per Charania’s reporting.

A revamped Minnesota roster

The Timberwolves went 49-33 last season and reached the playoffs for a fifth straight year. Their summer had already been busy: Minnesota moved Julius Randle and Naz Reid in a four-team offseason deal that landed Ball from the Charlotte Hornets, a shake-up that opened a hole in the frontcourt Kuminga now fills.

Kuminga’s route to Minnesota ran through Atlanta. Traded from the Golden State Warriors to the Hawks in February as part of the Kristaps Porzingis deal, he played 16 regular-season games and averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists, then averaged 13.7 points in the playoffs. The Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option on June 29, sending him into free agency.

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Michael Scotto reported that Kuminga “felt it was the best basketball fit and gives him a chance to start at power forward for a contender.”

Kuminga turns 24 in October and is set to open training camp as the Timberwolves’ starting power forward.

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