Jonathan Kuminga Sneakily Disses Lakers After Declining $12 Million Salary to Join Wolves

Jonathan Kuminga explained his decision to take less money to sign with Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jonathan Kuminga Sneakily Disses Lakers After Declining $12 Million Salary to Join Wolves

Jonathan Kuminga (Image credits - AP News)

It looks like Jonathan Kuminga has found a huge breakthrough in his career after five years. The young star signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, which is a team with championship goals.

Drafted as the number seven overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, Kuminga was an NBA champion in his rookie season with the Golden State Warriors. Kuminga was expected to be the future of the franchise with Stephen Curry at the back end of his career. Unfortunately, things fell apart between the player and the organization.

Kuminga was traded to the Atlanta Hawks earlier this year at the trade deadline. However, he became a free agent after the Hawks declined his player option. With multiple options on the table, he decided to join the Wolves this summer.

When asked about his decision, Kuminga explained that he signed with the Wolves instead of other options because he sought a “winning culture”.

I just wanted to go to like a winning culture, and I think this was one of the best winning culture I could’ve chosen out of all the options.

Jonathan Kuminga in his press conference

Jonathan Kuminga has completed five seasons in the NBA. After an impressive 2023-24 campaign, his stint with the Warriors took a bit of a hit due to injuries and his struggles to fit into the system. Many blamed the head coach, Steve Kerr, for the mess created around the young forward.

He was finally traded to the Hawks and had the opportunity to rediscover himself in a new environment. While he did put in a few good performances, it was not enough as the Hawks declined his player option.

It was reported that a number of teams were interested in the 23-year-old during free agency. One of the teams was the Los Angeles Lakers. JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka met him and even made a pitch to convince him to join the purple and gold. Reports suggested that the Lakers offered him a better salary than the Wolves. However, he ended up joining the Wolves.

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Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball spoke to Jonathan Kuminga every day

After reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2024 and 2025, the expectations surrounding the Wolves were very high last season. However, they were eliminated in the Conference Semifinals this year after losing to the San Antonio Spurs in six games. Hence, changes were needed to keep their championship aspirations alive heading into next season.

Apart from the “winning culture”, Jonathan Kuminga also revealed that Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball spoke to him every day, which played a role in him picking Minnesota.

I think me and Melo and Ant spoke pretty much every day, especially Ant. He called me every single time, he would check up on me and he’s a very genuine person, we had so many great conversations, and not just about basketball, about kids, life, fishing, stuff like that… them wanting me to be here, it felt real and they’re very genuine people.

Jonathan Kuminga in his press conference

Ball is another player who joined the Wolves in the summer. With Edwards as the centerpiece, Ball and Kuminga will need to step up as they look to lead the franchise to its first title next year.

Jonathan Kuminga’s role with the Wolves

There is no doubt that Jonathan Kuminga is one of the most athletic players in the league today. With Edwards by his side and Ball pulling the strings, the Wolves have a formidable starting five heading into the new campaign. Kuminga is expected to use his athleticism to cut in and play elite defense.

Jonathan Kuminga
Jonathan Kuminga (Image credits – NBA)

During the press conference, Kuminga was asked if Chris Finch spoke to him regarding his role on the team.

We haven’t spoke as much…he wants me to come here and be myself, rebound, defend at the highest level… focus on those two, just rebound and defense, I think that’ll help the team and that will help me.

Jonathan Kuminga in his press conference

The expectations surrounding the Wolves are high at the moment. Kuminga will be expected to be at his best and live up to the hype, or else he could find himself wondering about the “what-ifs” of choosing a better contract with the Lakers.

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