Jonathan Kuminga’s agent says Anthony Edwards pushed him to Minnesota over the Lakers

Minnesota has landed a key wing piece after Jonathan Kuminga chose the Timberwolves over the Los Angeles Lakers, a decision his representation attributes in large part to the appeal of playing alongside Anthony Edwards. In an account carried by Yahoo Sports, Kuminga’s agent described Edwards as actively recruiting him and making the case that Minnesota was the right fit for Kuminga’s next step.

The competitive backdrop matters because the Lakers were also pursuing Kuminga during the period in question. According to the same report, Los Angeles put a three-year, $36 million contract offer on the table, but Kuminga instead agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal with Minnesota. The contrast highlights how roster planning and market positioning were both in play, while Kuminga ultimately settled on the environment Minnesota was selling him.

Edwards’ role, as described by Kuminga’s agent, underscores a common theme in NBA recruiting: direct, on-court credibility paired with clarity about roles. Edwards is already an established high-usage presence for the Timberwolves, and the pitch to Kuminga appears to have focused on opportunity and fit rather than only money or geography.

From Minnesota’s perspective, bringing in a player in Kuminga’s mold supports the team’s broader organizational emphasis on perimeter length, athleticism, and versatility. The Timberwolves have often built around the idea that strong defense and multiple offensive pathways can coexist, especially when athletic players can share the floor in different configurations.

The reported contract structure also places Kuminga in a sort of transitional window. A two-year commitment tends to leave both sides room to evaluate how the player’s development aligns with the team’s longer-range needs, while still offering enough stability for Kuminga to settle into a defined role. For the Timberwolves, that flexibility can matter as they manage rotations and potential future contract decisions.

For Los Angeles, failing to land Kuminga is an implicit reminder that even sizable offers do not guarantee a match if a player believes another organization offers a clearer path to impact. The report’s framing puts the recruiting process at the center, suggesting that Minnesota’s internal pull, delivered through Edwards and the relationships around him, outweighed the Lakers’ counteroffer.

What to watch next is how Minnesota actually uses Kuminga on the floor. If the Edwards-led pitch translated into a practical plan for touches, spacing responsibilities, and defensive assignments, Kuminga’s integration could be a meaningful storyline throughout the season. Conversely, if the fit takes time to click, the short-term contract lens becomes even more important as both sides adjust.