Feb 26, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) reacts after making a three point shot against the Washington Wizards during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Feb 26, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) reacts after making a three point shot against the Washington Wizards during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
It hasn’t been an easy going for NBA swingman Jonathan Kuminga. Since being drafted by the Warriors in 2021, he’s been looking to prove his worth as one of the best young forwards in the league, but repeated setbacks and clashes with his former coach, Steve Kerr, have soured his reputation.
Even so, optimism is high for what Kuminga can bring to his new team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. After signing a two-year, $13 million deal this summer, the jury is still out on what he can provide to the team. The plan, at least according to analyst/insider Charlie Walton, is to play at a quick pace, using Kuminga to earn fast-break opportunities.
“Kuminga’s rim-crashing offense adds a dynamic to Minnesota’s offense that can accentuate its preexisting talent. The Wolves want to play fast this year and believe they are well-suited to do so. They believe his possession-closing abilities on the glass will trigger fast-break opportunities for Ball, one of the NBA’s best assisting guards, to quarterback.”
Even more so than scoring, the Timberwolves will be leaning on Kuminga’s defense. While he has shown mixed results on that end of the floor, he has the body and athleticism to be a potent defender, and a good showing there could be all he needs to secure an extension and earn a long-term place on the team. Then again, the Warriors thought the same thing before things went horribly wrong.
“Internally, the Wolves are more excited about what Kuminga adds to the other end of the floor. Kuminga floating around while defending away from the ball to collapse the coverage or apply pressure to the ball handler is a good thing. He’s also very good at it. But at the same time, the Wolves will need Kuminga to show his overall defensive commitment this season by reducing the number of times a single opponent pass puts him out of position because he was ball-watching. Whether he has a long-term future with the Wolves and their success with him on the roster largely hinges on Kuminga’s versatile, lock-down defense appearing more consistently than it has been in the past.”
Jonathan Kuminga has a reputation for being a selfish player, far too concerned with securing a big role and a bigger bag than playing to the height of his potential. On the Warriors, he clashed with Steve Kerr over his inability to play around his superstar teammates, culminating in his ugly and dramatic exit.
In order to prevent a similar falling out in Minnesota, Kuminga will have to take a more humble approach and show a level of consistency that has been sorely lacking. With career averages of 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game on 47.6% shooting, we know he has the talent to make a notable impact, but he needs the patience, focus, and maturity to become the player the Timberwolves need (and secure the terms he desires on his next deal).
Thanks to Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Rudy Gobert, and Jaden McDaniels, the Wolves already have a powerful and star-studded core, and Kuminga can be the final piece if he keeps his ego in check and plays within his role on the team.