Brian Windhorst Reveals The Exact Reason Jonathan Kuminga Picked Timberwolves Over Lakers

It isn't the first time that Jonathan Kuminga has said no to a longer, higher paying contract, and this time it was the Los Angeles Lakers he rejected. While contract preference exists, Brian Windhorst believes Kuminga's decision may have been influenced by a head coach and offseason moves as well.

"[Chris] Finch definitely played a role," Windhorst revealed on an ESPN X clip on August 27. "I'm sure other Wolves were involved as well. But obviously Ant [Anthony Edwards]."

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch reportedly did have various productive meaningful conversations with Kuminga before the latter made his decision.

in the X clip, Windhorst also touched upon how Anthony Edwards now has a reinforced roster with LaMelo Ball also joining the team on a $200 million+ five-year deal. While that deal value raised eyebrows, the deal Kuminga agreed on was fairly lower.

The former 2021 seventh overall pick turned down a longer three-year contract before this a couple seasons ago over $70 million. Now, a mid-season trade to Atlanta Hawks later, Kuminga's new deal is is in the vicinity of about $12-13 million. That being said, there's a reason for that.

While a better offer was on the table for Kuminga, this contract, there is a second-year player option in Kuminga's current contract that will allow him to enter free agency next year to look for a better payday should he have a breakout season.

While that dream remains, the truth is that after his career-high 26.3 minutes a game during the 2023 season, Kuminga has not been in the spotlight as much.That season remains his only season crossing the 1,000 point barrier.

Ultimately, contract negotiations and a disconnect in general led him to leave the franchise that drafted him after five successful years. Now with the Wolves, he could rise again. But Windhorst may not believe he's quite a "star" yet.

Brian Windhorst doesn't see Kuminga as a 'star' at Minnesota

Surely, a big season for Kuminga would mean a big payday, possibly at a new franchise. But all of that depends on his performance alongside Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball.

That is where Windhorst feels that he won't quite have the 'star' tag attached him as a Wolf.

"So it's going to be a fascinating deal," Windhorst further revealed in the ESPN clip on X. "If he arrives in Minnesota feeling like he's got to prove that he's a star, this could get real messy real quick. They're not bringing him there to be a star."

With Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels already established alongside the other two stars, Kuminga could be a complimentary start rather than the focal big player.

If that is true, it would certainly affect his minutes, and hence, his future price-tag. One thing though, is for sure: he will get more exposure here than he would at the Lakers.

Hence this remains the best option if he wants to prove himself to be that player and bring home that big extension. Barring his rookie season, Kuminga has never averaged lower than 20 minutes a game in his career, but he'd certainly want to at least cross the 25 mark

Meanwhile, the team is on a hot five-year playoff streak. If Kuminga finds his charm back at the franchise, who knows what lies in the future for the now 23-year-old.