Jonathan Kuminga joined the Minnesota Timberwolves with many questions about how he would fare. He often found himself in Steve Kerr’s doghouse with the Golden State Warriors. He’s been an inconsistent outside shooter, and while his defense can look good, Kuminga didn’t consistently bring it on that side.
Granted, it's only 10 games, but things couldn’t have gone smoother for Kuminga with his new club. The honeymoon phase is still going on with the fanbase, who desperately wanted the Wolves to add a starting power forward for much of the offseason.
That became the 24-year-old Kuminga. Minnesota’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night was another example of him showcasing his value to the team.
Kuminga has another excellent showing against the Pelicans
Kuminga didn’t have a perfect game. After connecting on a 3-pointer early in the first quarter, he missed his next five from deep. The seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft earned trips to the foul line, but he missed half of his 12 attempts.
The sixth-year forward also made four of his six attempts from inside the arc. He grabbed eight rebounds, dished out four assists, and finished with a plus-14 in 34 minutes in a game the Timberwolves won by six.
In the second quarter alone, he was a plus-10 without even attempting a field goal. Kuminga had three assists in the second 12 minutes, including one where he rolled to the basket and found an open Jaden McDaniels for a corner three. It’s hard to imagine him making a play like that earlier in his career.
Maybe most impressive, though, was his defense on Zion Williamson. In his first 11 career games against Minnesota entering Friday, the 2019 first overall pick averaged a whopping 28.3 points per contest. He had just 13 on Friday, with Kuminga often matched up with him. Kuminga specifically held Zion to 2-for-6 shooting as his primary defender.
Kuminga is doing it on both ends
The Timberwolves are currently second in the NBA with a 106.2 defensive rating. Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels will get much of the credit, but Kuminga has also played a large role in the team’s defensive prowess. His versatility on that end lets him play on the perimeter and down low, slowing down a human bowling ball in Williamson.
On many nights, Kuminga may come in as the fourth option, even with Anthony Edwards sidelined. He still gets his touches, though, because LaMelo Ball’s playmaking has helped everyone eat. In eight of his 10 outings, Kuminga has scored in double figures.
Kuminga's passing has been a pleasant surprise this season. He’s averaging three assists per game and fewer than one turnover (nine in 10 games). The assists are a career high, and his assist-to-turnover ratio above three is unexpected, given that he’s never been close to double the assists compared to turnovers in any of his first five years.
This has truly been the best possible outcome for Kuminga (so far). He got a starting opportunity with a contending club and is clearly helping prove his value. The narratives that were placed on him in Golden State haven't followed him to the Wolves.
So far in the young season, Kuminga is proving to be one of the league's best values, earning just over $6 million this year. He’s due for a massive raise after he likely declines his player option for next season, but for now, Wolves fans should focus on how Kuminga has clearly raised their ceiling with his two-way play.
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