Timberwolves predicted to part ways with $296M defensive anchor after signing Jonathan Kuminga originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have made some interesting moves this summer as they look to become a true title contender. The Timberwolves started the process around the draft, when they made a somewhat surprising move.
Advertisement
The move brought them one of the best young point guards in the game. Minnesota acquired LaMelo Ball in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets.
“The Charlotte Hornets are trading star guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid and a series of draft picks, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Thursday. In addition to Reid, the Hornets will receive a 2033 unprotected first-round pick and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033). Charlotte also gets first-round pick swaps in 2028, 2029 and 2030,” ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk wrote.
The latest move for the Timberwolves was signing NBA champion Jonathan Kuminga.
“The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed. forward Jonathan Kuminga. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released. Kuminga, 23, wrapped up his fifth season in the NBA, splitting time between the Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors after being traded to the Hawks on Feb. 5,” the organization wrote. “Kuminga will wear #24 for the Timberwolves.”
Advertisement
However, when a team adds as much talent as the Timberwolves have this summer, it eventually has to subtract somewhere. Heavy.com’s Sean Deveney believes Minnesota will eventually part ways with center Rudy Gobert.
“Rudy Gobert. (Remaining contract: two years, $75 million, player option.) The Timberwolves turned back trade interest in Gobert this year, but eventually, he will need an extension and the team will need to weigh moving on from him. They like young big man Joan Beringer very much,” Deveney wrote.
Obviously, this move could happen next offseason or at the trade deadline, depending on how the Timberwolves are doing. Minnesota appears to be all in this season, so it does not seem likely that the team would make this move immediately.
Gobert has made $296 million throughout his career. Minnesota would hate to let him go, but it could be a sacrifice the team eventually has to make because of his massive contract. Gobert is a great rim protector and rebounder, and the Timberwolves would have a difficult time replacing what he brings to the team.
Advertisement
