Jonathan Kuminga got away from the Los Angeles Lakers, apparently because they failed to meet his desired contract structure.
The former lottery pick Kuminga agreed Wednesday to sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves in free agency. Kuminga is getting a two-year, $13 million contract from Minnesota with a player option in the second year, according to multiple reports.
Anthony Slater of ESPN later reported on the offer from the Lakers that the veteran forward Kuminga turned down. Los Angeles reportedly offered Kuminga a three-year contract worth over $12 million annually, but Kuminga declined it in order to retain more control over his future.
Kuminga, still only 23 years old, won a championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2022 and flashed some upside as a potential 20-ppg scorer during his time there. But Kuminga slowly fell out of favor in the Bay and ended up being traded to the Atlanta Hawks last February, averaging just 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game over 16 total appearances with them.
But Kuminga is now getting new life in Minnesota, where he is projected to be a starter alongside LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert. Kuminga is also getting the flexibility to be able to test free agency again next summer if he performs well in the 2026-27 season.
The 6-foot-7 Kuminga had been linked to the Lakers in free agent rumors for several weeks now, and Los Angeles even apparently increased their offer to Kuminga from their originally-reported number for him. But now they will have to look elsewhere for help in the frontcourt following the departures of LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Jaxson Hayes and the trade of Deandre Ayton.
