Jonathan Kuminga Explains Why He Chose Minnesota — and Anthony Edwards Was a Major Reason

For Jonathan Kuminga, choosing his next NBA team was about more than finding the largest contract.

The Minnesota Timberwolves officially signed the 23-year-old forward earlier this month, reportedly to a two-year, $13 million deal. Now Kuminga has explained why Minnesota emerged as his preferred destination: the basketball opportunity was attractive, but the personal recruitment from Anthony Edwards helped make the decision feel right.

Speaking during his introductory media availability at Target Center, Kuminga described repeated conversations with Edwards, members of Minnesota's front office, coaches and other players.

"Especially Ant, he called me every single time. He checked up on me, and he was a very, very genuine person," Kuminga said. "He didn't have to do that."

The conversations extended beyond basketball.

"Them wanting me to be here, it felt real," Kuminga said.

For a player whose role has fluctuated significantly over the last two seasons, that may have mattered as much as anything.

A Fresh Start After Golden State and Atlanta

Kuminga's career has taken several turns since the Golden State Warriors selected him seventh overall in the 2021 NBA Draft.

His best statistical season came in 2023-24, when he averaged 16.1 points and 4.8 rebounds. But his place in Golden State's rotation subsequently became less secure.

Last February, Golden State finally traded Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta for Kristaps Porziņģis. At the time of the deal, Kuminga was averaging 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 20 games.

His Hawks tenure was brief. Kuminga appeared in 16 regular-season games for Atlanta before the franchise declined his option for 2026-27, sending him back into the market.

Minnesota offered something different: opportunity on a contender.

"I wanted to join a winning culture," Kuminga said of his decision. "I think this was the best option among the options I had."

Minnesota Has a Natural Role for Kuminga

The Timberwolves' interest makes considerably more sense when viewed alongside their offseason overhaul.

Minnesota moved on from Julius Randle and traded Naz Reid as part of its aggressive roster reconstruction, creating a significant opening at power forward. The Wolves also made a blockbuster move for LaMelo Ball, placing one of the NBA's most creative passers alongside Edwards in a potentially explosive backcourt.

Kuminga can now slot alongside Ball, Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert, giving Minnesota a lineup loaded with length and athleticism.

President of basketball operations Tim Connelly believes the fit is unusually clean.

"His addition to our group is perfect," Connelly said, highlighting Kuminga's quickness, cutting and ability to attack off one dribble.

The relationship with Edwards could be equally important.

According to reporting republished by NBA.com from The Athletic, Edwards made defense a central part of his recruiting pitch rather than simply promising Kuminga more shots. Minnesota's players and front office repeatedly contacted him during the process, with Ball and McDaniels also expressing their desire for him to join the team.

LaMelo Could Unlock Another Level

Kuminga's athleticism has never been the question.

Creating an environment that consistently maximizes it has been more difficult.

That is why his reaction to watching Ball work out with his new teammates is particularly interesting.

"I've played with so many point guards in my career, but I've never played with somebody that could pass as good as LaMelo," Kuminga said.

That combination could become one of Minnesota's most dangerous weapons.

Ball's passing in transition and ability to find cutters should suit a forward who does his best work attacking the rim. Meanwhile, the defensive attention commanded by Ball and Edwards could leave Kuminga attacking rotating defenses rather than being asked to consistently create against a set half-court defense.

There are questions, of course. Minnesota has substantially altered a roster that won 49 games last season, and Ball, Edwards and Kuminga have never played together. Chemistry will have to be built rather than assumed.

But Minnesota is betting that Kuminga's best basketball remains ahead of him.

At 23 years old, he is young enough to grow alongside Edwards, Ball and McDaniels rather than functioning merely as a short-term addition.

For Kuminga, the equation appears even simpler.

After years of uncertainty about his role, he chose the organization that made it clearest how badly it wanted him.

"Looking back, I think I would say it's one of the best decisions I've made," Kuminga said.

Now he has to prove it on the court.