Ex-Warriors champion Jonathan Kuminga turned down bigger offer from Lakers to join T-Wolves

The Los Angeles Lakers just got absolutely Houdinied by Jonathan Kuminga and his camp after spending two months pursuing the former NBA champion. Kuminga was believed to be headed to Los Angeles after the Cleveland Cavaliers completed a deal for Peyton Watson.

The choices were limited for the former Golden State Warriors forward, with the Lakers being one of his two primary options. Kuminga ultimately ending up with the Lakers seemed like the most likely outcome.

“Jonathan Kuminga landing with the Los Angeles Lakers seems inevitable at this point. On Tuesday, it appeared Kuminga had three suitors remaining in his free-agent sweepstakes: the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Lakers," New York Post's Valentina Martinez wrote.

However, Kuminga shocked a lot of NBA fans with his decision Wednesday night. The 23-year-old agreed to a deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“Jonathan Kuminga has agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, plus a player option, agent Aaron Turner tells ESPN. Kuminga will be a starter alongside Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert on the West contender,” ESPN’s Shams Charania wrote.

The most surprising part of all of this is that the Lakers actually offered Kuminga a contract worth significantly more money. However, Kuminga and his camp were dead set on giving him another opportunity to become a free agent next summer.

“Jonathan Kuminga reportedly turned down a three-year deal from the Lakers — which would have paid him more annually — in favor of signing with the Timberwolves. Kuminga preferred Minnesota, where he’ll earn $6.1M with a chance to hit unrestricted free agency again next summer,” NBA writer Jake Weinbach wrote.

This has been a crazy turn of events for the Lakers, as they were convinced Kuminga was going to join their team. It didn't play out that way, and now LA still has a huge hole to fill at the power forward position.

Kuminga choosing Minnesota over the Lakers is him betting on himself. However, if he has another down year, it could hurt his future in terms of money, playing time and attractiveness to other teams.

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