Jonathan Kuminga Declining Lakers’ $12 Million Salary to Sign Bargain Deal With Wolves Stuns Fans – “Hatewatch Boutta Be Generational”

Jonathan Kuminga agreed to a two-year, $12.4 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.

Jonathan Kuminga Declining Lakers’ $12 Million Salary to Sign Bargain Deal With Wolves Stuns Fans – “Hatewatch Boutta Be Generational”

Jonathan Kuminga (Image credits - NBA)

Jonathan Kuminga has seen his career stagnate over the last two seasons. He was drafted by the Golden State Warriors as the seventh pick in the 2021 NBA draft.

While he did not play a big role in the Warriors’ championship run in his first season, many believed that Kuminga had a bright future ahead in Golden State and would carry the team forward in the post-Stephen Curry era. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen in his fourth season.

After joining the Atlanta Hawks at the trade deadline this year, it looked like he found a new home and got the break he needed in his career. But just half a season later, he decided to sign a two-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

NBA insider Shams Charania reported that multiple teams were looking to sign him, but he ended up choosing the Wolves.

Kuminga chose the Timberwolves over offers from the Lakers, Bulls and Trail Blazers — bypassing a similar starting role and $12M-plus annually over three years in L.A. to land in Minnesota for a shorter-term deal and an ability to have more control of his future, sources said.

Shams Charania on X

The Wolves have been active in the summer after getting eliminated in the Western Conference Semifinals last season. They traded away Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets. While they were linked to multiple players, they surprised everyone by trading for LaMelo Ball from the Charlotte Hornets,

The signing of Kuminga shows the Wolves are looking to contend for the championship next season. The Wolves beat the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, and Portland Trail Blazers to his signing.

He was heavily linked to the Lakers after JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka met him and made their pitch last month. But in the end, the young star decided to join the Wolves for $13 million over the next two seasons.

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Fans left stunned after Jonathan Kuminga declined the Lakers’ offer for the Wolves

The Lakers reportedly offered Kuminga a $12 million, three-year deal. They were looking to add some athleticism to their lineup as they build their roster around Luka Doncic. Just like the Wolves, even the Lakers offered him a starting role.

After the Wolves announced his signing, fans were surprised by his decision and reacted on social media.

Fans were left bemused by Kuminga’s decision not to join the purple and gold. Most players dream of playing for the Lakers as the lights in LA are the brightest. However, the deal did leave Wolves fans delighted.

Anthony Edwards played a ‘major part’ in bringing Jonathan Kuminga to the Wolves

There is no doubt that the Wolves are built around Anthony Edwards. Since getting drafted by them in 2020, Edwards has been their franchise player and has led them to two consecutive Western Conference Finals in 2024 and 2025.

Anthony Edwards and Jonathan Kuminga
Anthony Edwards and Jonathan Kuminga (Image credits – Heavy Sports)

Shams Charania revealed that Edwards was important in the ‘full-court recruiting press’ for Kuminga.

In the last month, the Timberwolves persistently recruited Kuminga, offering their best financial tool in the taxpayer mid-level exception plus a large on-court opportunity. Edwards was a major part of the full-court recruiting press to sign Kuminga.

Shams Charania on X

Jonathan Kuminga is heading into his sixth season in the NBA. With Edwards, Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels and Ball playing alongside him, Kuminga could prove to be the difference-maker that takes the Wolves all the way to a championship. It will be interesting to see how he plays alongside his new teammates and with championship aspirations on his back next season.

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