Minnesota Timberwolves general manager Matt Lloyd revealed that the team’s pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga involved 94 phone calls with the forward’s agent between July 15 and the day the signing was completed.
The extensive communication highlighted how much work went into Minnesota’s effort to land Kuminga, who ultimately agreed to a two-year, $12.4 million contract with a second-year player option.
“The opportunity came up to sign Jonathan Kuminga, which again was the product of many, many phone calls and a lot of time investment,” Lloyd said on Star Tribune, via HoopsHype. “My wife asked me at one point, how many times has he called you? She was referencing Jonathan Kuminga’s agent. How many times have you been on the phone with him since the middle of July?”
Lloyd said he checked his phone to find out, and the number was 94 calls between July 15 and the signing.
Anthony Edwards also played a significant role in convincing Kuminga to choose Minnesota, while head coach Chris Finch, president of basketball operations Tim Connelly and assistant coach Alonzo Gee were among those involved in the process.
“Anthony Edwards was really instrumental in recruiting him to come here,” Lloyd said. “We had several conversations with him, his representatives, and from Chris Finch to Tim Connelly to Alonzo Gee, who is on our staff, everything just came together.”
Kuminga explained at his introductory press conference that Minnesota’s direction and emphasis on winning were major factors in his decision after five seasons with the Golden State Warriors and a stint with the Atlanta Hawks.
“I think the choice was, you know, we trying to win. We trying to help winning. So I think that’s why I made this decision,” Kuminga said.
The 23-year-old also repeatedly emphasized defense when discussing his role with the Timberwolves. He said his conversations with Finch initially focused on rebounding and defense, while the presence of Jaden McDaniels, Edwards and Rudy Gobert gives him players from whom he can learn on that end of the floor.
Kuminga also believes his versatility should allow him to fit into Minnesota’s system without requiring a defined offensive role.
“It don’t matter what it is, you know, they could put me wherever. For run the floor, screen, defend, play fast, whatever, whatever it is,” he said.
Connelly cited Kuminga’s age, athleticism, playoff experience and two-way potential as reasons Minnesota viewed him as a strong fit. He particularly highlighted Kuminga’s ability to attack the basket and create advantages with limited dribbles.
“There’s not many better one-dribble drive guys in the league than Jonathan,” Connelly said.
Kuminga averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 36 games between Golden State and Atlanta last season, shooting 46.3% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range.
His arrival comes after Minnesota acquired LaMelo Ball and moved on from Julius Randle, Naz Reid and Josh Green. The Timberwolves now have a young core built around Edwards, Ball, McDaniels, Kuminga and Gobert, with Kuminga expected to add athleticism, defensive versatility and scoring to the group.
