The Minnesota Timberwolves have assembled quite the squad for the upcoming season, as they believe it will be championship or bust. The entire offseason was filled with moves to set up for a potential title run, and they far exceeded expectations.
It all started with a trade for LaMelo Ball right before the trade deadline that signaled they were all in. It ended with the signing of NBA champion Jonathan Kuminga in free agency.
“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.
Everyone in the organization is hyped for what they have been able to put together. Their starting five is as good as any starting five in the entire league. Kuminga was in the limelight all summer, and he is excited to play with someone who can pass like Ball.
“I’ve played with so many point guards in my career, but I’ve never played with someone that can pass as good as LaMelo,” Kuminga told the media.
However, Kuminga is back in the spotlight with the media, going viral for threatening to slap a fan. The fan called Kuminga an inappropriate nickname, to which he threatened the person.
Fan: “KumBucket! Yessir!” Kuminga: “Whoever said that, I’ma come find you and slap you.” 💀 (via @itstcleemf) https://t.co/Ry22Dl2lzz
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 8, 2026While this is a natural reaction, as an athlete, that just can’t be said. Kuminga should have been able to ignore it and keep walking. Instead, he decided to respond directly, and the fan got the reaction he wanted.
Of course, Kuminga didn’t do anything to the guy or even make a move toward him; it was just a threat. The NBA champion is still young and learning, and he has to know that this instance was not the time to react to a fan.
