Jonathan Kuminga has signed a two‑year, $13 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. It equates to $6.5 million a year, which is far less than what the athletic wing was hoping for.
The move raises the question: can Kuminga finally reach his full potential in the NBA?
Potential Starter for the Timberwolves
The 23‑year‑old forward was one of the most intriguing young prospects left on the unrestricted free‑agent market. With Minnesota lacking depth in its frontcourt, pursuing Kuminga made sense.
Unlike his previous stints with the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks—both rosters stacked with players capable of starting—Minnesota offers a clearer path to a starting role. Outside of Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert, the Timberwolves do not have many reliable options with size for the first unit.
Kuminga’s arrival could make him a strong candidate to start. With the Warriors, the Congolese forward started just 97 of 278 regular‑season games. In Atlanta, he started only once in 16 appearances. That could change in Minny, where he could win the starting spot at small forward should McDaniels be shifted to the four. Between Julius Randle getting traded earlier in the offseason and McDaniels having the size at 6-foot-9, a move to power forward could actually be in order.
Increase in Overall Stats
Kuminga’s adjustment period in Minnesota should be smoother than his midseason move to Atlanta. With the NBA offseason still ongoing, the 6‑foot‑7 forward has time to acclimate to the Timberwolves’ system.
Expectations are clear: his statistics should rise with more playing time. During five and a half seasons with Golden State, the athletic wing averaged 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. In Atlanta, he posted 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. For a team that last season finished ninth in the NBA in pace, with 100.53 possessions per 48 minutes, anything less than improved numbers for the former Warrior would be a downer. Add to that the opportunities he will get with LaMelo Ball orchestrating what will surely be a run-and-gun offense and Anthony Edwards attracting the defense and Kuminga looks in line for a true breakout.
What Is Kuminga’s True Potential?
The biggest question surrounding Kuminga’s career remains: what is his ceiling? Can he become an All‑Star? A franchise cornerstone? A dependable sixth man? Or perhaps the missing piece for a title contender?
Kuminga has always shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled to consistently display the full scope of his talent. At times, he delivers double‑digit scoring with solid rebounding and playmaking. Other times, he fades into mediocrity.
The next two seasons could be pivotal. This stretch may define whether Kuminga evolves into a more complete player—a better scorer, passer, rebounder, and defender—than the version seen in his early years.
For now, his ultimate form remains uncertain. But playing alongside Edwards and Ball gives Timberwolves fans plenty of reason to believe Kuminga’s best basketball is still ahead.
