The Lakers and Timberwolves have reportedly emerged as the two finalists for Jonathan Kuminga, with Los Angeles able to offer a larger salary via sign-and-trade and Minnesota pitching a strong starting role and on-court fit for the 23-year-old forward.
Jonathan Kuminga's free agency appears to be down to two teams, with the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves emerging as the finalists for the 23-year-old forward.
According to NBA insider Evan Sidery, both Los Angeles and Minnesota have offered Kuminga a starting role for the 2026-27 season, but the financial paths available to the two teams are considerably different.
The Lakers would need to acquire Kuminga through a sign-and-trade, which would allow him to receive a significantly larger salary.
Minnesota, meanwhile, can only offer a veteran-minimum contract under its current circumstances, according to Sidery, although the Timberwolves are viewed as a strong basketball fit.
Lakers have been pursuing Kuminga throughout offseason
The Lakers' interest is hardly new.
Los Angeles has been connected with Kuminga throughout free agency as the franchise searches for an athletic starting-caliber forward to place alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
It was reported earlier in the offseason that the Lakers were pursuing Kuminga and had looked at a two-year, $20 million deal.
More recently, Sidery reported that significant momentum was building toward Kuminga joining the Lakers and described Los Angeles as his preferred landing spot. At that stage, the Cavaliers and Timberwolves had also been among his options.
Cleveland has since removed itself from the equation after completing a sign-and-trade for Peyton Watson, who agreed to a four-year, $88 million contract with the Cavaliers.
Timberwolves offer different path
Minnesota has also been linked with Kuminga for several weeks, with HoopsHype's Michael Scotto previously reporting the Timberwolves' interest in the former Warriors forward.
Sidery now reports that Minnesota is one of the final two teams and has also offered Kuminga the opportunity to start.
The Timberwolves cannot compete with the salary Los Angeles could potentially generate through a sign-and-trade, but their pitch centers on basketball opportunity and fit.
A move to Minnesota would place Kuminga alongside Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert, giving the Timberwolves another athletic forward capable of playing in transition and defending multiple positions.
Los Angeles, however, appears to have two important advantages: the possibility of a larger contract and Kuminga's previously reported preference to become a Laker.
Kuminga coming off split season with Warriors, Hawks
Kuminga spent the 2025-26 season between the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks, appearing in 36 games overall.
The 23-year-old averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 23.1 minutes per game while shooting 46.3% from the field, 33.3% from the three-point range and 72.4% from the free-throw line.
Kuminga began the season with Golden State, playing 20 games before finishing the campaign with 16 appearances for Atlanta.
The former No. 7 overall pick has averaged 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists across 294 NBA regular-season games since entering the league in 2021.
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