Jonathan Kuminga signing with Timberwolves: What deal means

The Minnesota Timberwolves have secured the services of free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga, adding him to their roster for a two-year contract worth $12.4 million, with a player option for the following season. Kuminga is set to enter his sixth year in the NBA despite his young age. The deal was finalized after the Atlanta Hawks declined Kuminga's $24.3 million team option, rendering him a free agent.

The Lakers had also pursued Kuminga, but their cap situation complicated the negotiation. Kuminga will join the Timberwolves, where he will team up with Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball, providing a formidable scoring and slashing threat. This move offers Kuminga the opportunity to increase his role, which had been a priority after only starting 24 games across the past two seasons.

Kuminga, 23, possesses strengths such as his length and athleticism, but his perimeter shooting and defense are areas that require improvement. The Timberwolves will need to address these defensive weaknesses, but they have the necessary players, such as Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert, to do so. Kuminga averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game over the course of the 36 games he played during the previous season.