Lakers, T-Wolves emerge as top destinations for Jonathan Kuminga

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

There’s still one name in the NBA free-agent market that has yet to find a new home.

Following Klay Thompson and DeMar DeRozan, Jonathan Kuminga might be the next to find a new home, as the small forward remains unsigned with only two months left before the 2026-27 NBA regular season begins.

According to Bleacher Report senior NBA insider Jake Fischer, Kuminga’s potential landing spots have been narrowed to two franchises: the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“Comes down to Minnesota or Los Angeles,” Fischer said.

The Lakers made their move last month, engaging in trade talks with Kuminga’s camp, but everything changed when LeBron James left and Los Angeles prioritized an extension for Austin Reaves.

Days after the stalled negotiations, the Timberwolves entered the picture but hesitated to put pen to paper after Kuminga’s camp expressed a preference for a short-term, one-year deal to rebuild his trade value.

Kuminga’s offseason situation remained stagnant until recently, but contract talks with both franchises intensified when two new offers emerged.

The Lakers reportedly agreed to Kuminga’s request for a one-year deal, increasing their offer to as much as USD 15 million annually under a sign-and-trade framework.

As for the Timberwolves, no specific figures were disclosed, but the retooled Western Conference squad is still reconsidering its options after signing LaMelo Ball to play alongside Anthony Edwards.

“Kuminga, I think, has seemed to prefer going to the Lakers,” Fischer added.

“I thought it could have happened last week, but I still have been told nothing to suggest that Kuminga’s situation is not coming down to the Lakers or the Timberwolves.”

Kuminga is coming off a stellar season with the Atlanta Hawks, averaging 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 16 regular-season games.

The former Golden State Warriors rising star also showed flashes of clutch play in the playoffs, averaging 13.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in six games during Atlanta’s first-round series loss to the New York Knicks.