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Kuminga sees Minnesota as a winning fit, ready to embrace defensive identity of Timberwolves After a summer filled with uncertainty, conversations, and careful reflection, new Timberwolves forward Jonathan Kuminga said Thursday he arrived at one overriding conclusion: Minnesota gave him the best opportunity to win. Speaking publicly for the first time since joining the Timberwolves, the 23-year-old repeatedly pointed to the organization’s culture, championship aspirations and defensive identity as the driving forces behind his decision. “The process, it was up and down,” Kuminga said. “Just looking back, I think I’ll say it’s one of the best decisions I made.” The Wolves introduced Kuminga at a news conference Thursday morning at Target Center. ***Click the video box above to watch Kuminga introductory news conference*** Kuminga said he and Aaron Turner, his agent, spent considerable time evaluating options and discussing what mattered most about the next stage of his career. The answer ultimately centered on joining a team already positioned to compete in the Western Conference. Kuminga signed a 2-year deal worth just above $12M, with a player option in the second year. He’s expected to be the Wolves’ starting power forward. “Looking at the roster, looking at the young group of guys they have and just seeing what they’ve done in the past and things that they’re trying to accomplish going forward,” Kuminga said. “We’re trying to win. We’re trying to help win. So I think that’s why I made this decision.” The former Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks forward arrives in Minnesota believing his versatility is a natural fit with the Wolves’ roster. “My game, my mentality, pretty much everything fits well with the group,” Kuminga said. “They could put me wherever around the floor, screen, defend, play fast, whatever it is. I feel like I could come in and be one of the best defenders.” That defensive confidence was a recurring theme throughout the news conference. Kuminga said playing alongside elite defenders such as Jaden McDaniels, Anthony Edwards and four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert was one of the organization’s biggest attractions. “I feel like I could consider myself as one of the best defenders,” he said. “Being around one of the best defenders in the league, people like Jaden, I think I could learn so much more.” Gobert’s presence, Kuminga added, should allow him to play even more aggressively. “I could be myself on defense,” he said. “I know I have a shot blocker behind me. He could guide me. I think once we all step on the floor together, things are going to be way easier.” President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly said the organization focused less on salesmanship and more on transparency throughout the recruitment process. “Just being honest and as clear and transparent as possible,” Connelly said. Connelly acknowledged there were stretches during negotiations when team officials were unsure whether Kuminga would choose Minnesota. But the Wolves believed early on he was an ideal fit after trading veteran forwards Julius Randle and Naz Reid earlier in the offseason. “We thought he’d be a perfect fit,” Connelly said. “Not just his age and athleticism, but his two-way ability and how much winning he’s seen.” Despite being only 23, Kuminga enters his sixth NBA season having already appeared in roughly 40 playoff games and spent five years in a championship-driven environment with Golden State. “He’s seen things we’re trying to aspire to do,” Connelly said. “He’s produced every year. He’s won every year.” The Wolves also benefited from strong recruiting efforts inside the locker room, particularly from Edwards. Kuminga revealed he spoke with Edwards “pretty much every single day” during the process and described the All-NBA guard’s approach as genuine rather than transactional. “He called me every single time. He checked up on me,” Kuminga said. “He’s a very, very genuine person. He didn’t have to do that.” Kuminga said conversations extended well beyond basketball. “It wasn’t just about basketball,” he said. “It’s about kids, life, things that you couldn’t even think about, fishing, stuff like that.” Connelly and front office assistant Alonzo Gee also traveled to Miami to meet with Kuminga, another gesture that left an impression. “Them wanting me to be here, it felt real,” Kuminga said. “They were very genuine people.” The opportunity to play alongside newly acquired point guard LaMelo Ball was another significant selling point. Kuminga called Ball “one of the best playmakers in the league” and couldn’t hide his excitement when discussing their future partnership. “I never played with somebody that could pass as good as LaMelo,” Kuminga said. “So I think I’m looking forward to it.” Connelly believes Ball’s passing ability and Kuminga’s cutting instincts can make the pairing particularly dangerous. “He’s got an innate feel for getting open,” Connelly said. “Certainly in transition, there’s not many players better than Jonathan in our league.” If there was a central message from Kuminga throughout the morning, it was that individual accomplishments are secondary to team success. Asked what he hopes to prove this season, he rejected the notion that he has something to prove to critics. “I wouldn’t say it’s about believing,” Kuminga said. “I think it’s just being a winner.” That philosophy also surfaced when asked whether he hopes his stay in Minnesota extends far beyond the upcoming season. “I would love it to be a long-term thing,” Kuminga said. “I’m not going to predict what it’s going to be. God has a plan for all of us. All I got to do is come here and do my job every single day.” Late in the session, Kuminga acknowledged financial considerations existed elsewhere but said money never became the deciding factor. Instead, he leaned on faith and prioritized finding the right environment. “I left everything to God,” Kuminga said. “I prayed over this, asked God to guide me and give me the best decision. And I think this was the best decision for me.” For a Timberwolves team undergoing significant change while still trying to contend in the West, the organization believes Kuminga’s best basketball remains ahead of him. And after months of deliberation, Kuminga believes he found exactly what he was seeking: a place where winning remains the expectation. “I just wanted to go to a winning culture,” he said. “And I think this was one of the best winning cultures I could have chose.”