Add The California Post on Google Jonathan Kuminga decided to bet on himself after he rejected the Lakers and joined forces with the Timberwolves. But he might find out that some risks aren’t worth taking.
On “The Draymond Green Show,” Kuminga’s former veteran teammate pointed out why his decision comes with a major risk for his future.
“Here’s where things get dicey. When you go to a team on a lower-level salary, in this case, the taxpayer mid-level, and all of a sudden that starting lineup isn’t getting off to great starts,” Green said, “the analytics say ‘this group isn’t working that well together’ for whatever reason.”
Draymond Green doesn’t think much about Jonathan Kuminga’s deal with the Timberwolves. NBAE via Getty Images On Tuesday, Kuminga agreed to a two-year, $12.4 million deal with the Timberwolves that includes a player option. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the Lakers offered him a three-year deal worth up to $12 million per season.
Minnesota’s payroll places it as the sixth highest in the NBA. The Timberwolves will pay LaMelo Ball $40 million, Anthony Edwards $48.9 million and Rudy Gobert $36.5 million. Jaden McDaniels rounds out the group at $26 million, which could make Kuminga the odd man out.
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“A $6.5 million salary in the NBA is a bench role salary. Your salary determines ultimately how a team treats you,” Green said.
When Kuminga signed with the Timberwolves, it was under the impression that he would be a starter, but if the team doesn’t perform well to start the season, Green said Kuminga could be “the first plug that gets pulled.”
Kuminga has spent most of his career as an NBA reserve, most notably with the Warriors. He helped Green, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson win their fourth NBA title during his rookie season in 2022.
Kuminga didn’t have much impact with the Hawks last season. Getty Images Last season, Golden State parted ways with Kuminga, trading him and Buddy Hield to the Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis.
He appeared in 16 games with the Hawks last year and started in one game.
