After fielding a variety of offers, Jonathan Kuminga has signed a two-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves. That would seem to end his saga with the Sacramento Kings. Yet, his Wolves' deal is up right around time Domantas Sabonis is leaving, creating an opportunity for Sacramento.
When the Warriors drafted Kuminga seventh overall in 2021, he was supposed to be a key building block for the next generation of the franchise. He was the first step in true planning for their post-Stephen Curry era. Kuminga had, and has, everything needed to be that guy for Golden State.
Instead, head coach Steve Kerr saw Kuminga differently. It became increasingly difficult for the young power forward to get minutes as Kerr leaned on his veterans to the point of absurdity. Only now is the Warriors' management starting to force their team in a new direction.
Sacramento just couldn't get in the Kuminga game
Unfortunately for Golden State, the damage to their relationship with Kuminga was done and he wanted out. They traded him to the Hawks at the 2026 deadline. After becoming a free agent, several teams started talking with Kuminga. He settled on Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball and the Wolves.
Sacramento has often been mentioned by Kuminga as a potential destination. The problem was that the Kings couldn't put a deal together that the Warriors wanted a year ago. This offseason, Sacramento simply doesn't have the salary cap to chase a player like Kuminga.
Even after waiving DeMar DeRozan and stretching his salary, the Kings are just barely under the first apron luxury tax. They should be able to sign a point guard or two at veteran minimums, but that's it. Until their two biggest contracts are gone, the salary cap will be a huge issue in Sacramento.
The Kings and Kuminga may still end up together
By the time Kuminga's two-year deal with the Wolves is up, that won't be an issue anymore. Zach LaVine's contract is done at the end of this season and Domantas Sabonis follows at the end of next season. That's right at the time that Kuminga could find himself as an unrestriced free agent.
The Kings have two seasons to get this rebuild rolling, put some development into this young roster they've put together, and figure out how Kuminga fits into all of it. By the 2028 offseason, they should have the cap space to do some real business with Kuminga.
There's still the possibility that he decides he has a good thing going in Minneapolis and chooses to stay with the Wolves. Given the caliber of talent around him, it would be hard to blame Kuminga for making that call. But if he becomes a UFA, he should expect to hear from the Kings.
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