Jonathan Kuminga ☆ Follow

Over rates and minutes projection: turn on Prediction tools.

Starts 3 of 3 games · 4th on MIN in minutes · Core role

Bars: minutes in his last 3 games · numbers: points

Situational splits: turn on Prediction tools.

Every situation, with four seasons of history →

No reporter post or news story has named him yet this season; everything below is from podcasts.

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 2 points · 4 h ago
  • Jack Borman: The defense held Scottie Barnes scoreless on 0-of-12 shooting, and 9 of his 12 shots were jumpers. The host credited Jonathan Kuminga and Trey Lyles for their defense on him. at 1:38
  • Jack Borman: Jonathan Kuminga went 3 of 4 on corner threes, making him 5 of 10 from the corners this season. The host cited a 35% career corner mark after two poor years at Golden State and then Atlanta. at 15:23

  “WOLVES POSTCAST: Timberwolves DOMINATE Raptors 117-94 in Home Opener | INSTANT REACTION” · listen ↗

• Podcast The Herd with Colin Cowherd host · Report · Oct 22 around the league

  For the Wolves, Jaden McDaniels played great coming off his contract extension. Jonathan Kuminga was solid, and Gobert was great defensively. Minnesota won by 25.

  “What's Wright - NBA Opening Night REACTION, Caleb Williams vs. Drake Maye, Chiefs-Seahawks MASSIVE game” at 36:37 · listen ↗

• Podcast Gil's Arena · 3 points · Oct 22
  • Brendan Haywood said that in past years Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert clogged the paint when Edwards isolated. Now Jaden McDaniels plays the 4 and spaces the floor, Gobert stays under the basket, and Jonathan Kuminga can be subbed out for another shooter. at 49:54
  • A panelist said Jonathan Kuminga is the only Wolves player defenses will leave open, and that Minnesota can sub Ayo Dosunmu in for him at any time. Kuminga went 2-for-4 in the game. at 35:49
  • unnamed 'they' (reported): The hosts referred to Kuminga having been traded from Golden State. They mentioned an unconfirmed claim that his family taking extra plates from the family lounge was part of the reason, and treated that claim as a smear. at 28:14

  “Luka's Snowtime Lakers COOK GSW, Ant-Man & Lamelo WENT CRAZY vs MIA & AD Goes VINTAGE In D.C.! Part 1” · listen ↗

• Podcast Zach Lowe, The Zach Lowe Show · Analysis · Oct 22 around the league

  Lowe suggests watching the Wolves use Kuminga and Gobert as double and stagger screeners to ease their spacing problems.

  “Opening Night Overreactions, Alarming Trends, Hot Takes, and More!” at 26:43 · listen ↗

• Podcast First Take host · Report · Oct 22 around the league

  Jaden McDaniels had three steals and Jonathan Kuminga had four, with both in double figures for Minnesota. Kuminga is with the Timberwolves.

  “Hour 1: Does LaMelo Ball unlock an MVP year for Anthony Edwards?” at 3:31 · listen ↗

  also reported by Locked On NBA host

• Podcast Locked On NBA · 2 points · Oct 22
  • This game was the Timberwolves debut of both LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga. at 1:58
  • Jonathan Kuminga went 5-of-10 for 12 points with four steals. He attacked Giannis early and scored on him. at 6:53

  “Timberwolves SCARY Backcourt & Warriors Disastrous Start” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 2 points · 4 h ago
  • Jonathan Kuminga had 13 points on eight shots, shooting "three or four" from three. He is 7-of-11 from three on the season, mostly catch-and-shoot, which the host calls not sustainable. at 28:56
  • The host says Jonathan Kuminga has been exactly what the Wolves need through three games: a plus defender and rebounder playing out of the dunker spot, a lob threat, and a jack of all trades. at 30:03

  “Minnesota Timberwolves DOMINATE Toronto Raptors, Remain Unbeaten | Another Offensive Barrage From Wolves” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 6 points · Oct 23
  • Jack's opinion: he expected the starting unit to rebound well and feels vindicated by how Jonathan Kuminga has played in the first two games. This implies, without saying outright, that Kuminga is in the starting unit. at 4:09
  • Jack's view of roles: Edwards and LaMelo are the stars, with some combination of Dosunmu, Jaden, Rudy and Kuminga doing the little things. at 9:34
  • X-factor was Jonathan Kuminga. Defending Paolo (Banchero), he forced him to pick up the ball much farther from the basket than usual. at 14:13
  • Kuminga had 9 rebounds, 7 of them defensive. at 15:30
  • Matchups: Kuminga guarded Giannis on opening night in Miami and Paolo tonight. at 15:37
  • Jack Borman: Jack expects Kuminga to guard Scotty Barnes on Sunday against Toronto, and says it is a bit different with Jaden guarding Kawhi. at 15:59

  “WOLVES POSTCAST: T-Wolves CRUISE PAST ORLANDO MAGIC In Total Team Effort, 115-93” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 7 points · Oct 23
  • The host describes the regular starting lineup as the core four plus Jonathan Kuminga. The small-ball lineup is the core four plus Ayo Dosunmu, whom he assumes is the sixth man. at 2:43
  • Jonathan Kuminga took the assignment of guarding Giannis. Giannis still had a good game, but the host says Kuminga's physicality mattered and that he is the only Wolf who stands a chance to slow Giannis down. at 2:56
  • Ayo Dosunmu is on the floor with the core group, McDaniels plays the four by default. The host frames Kuminga as an undersized four. at 5:58
  • First-quarter set, run multiple times: McDaniels comes up to screen the man guarding LaMelo Ball, then slips. Ball rises from deep and dumps the ball to McDaniels near the free-throw line for a floater, with Edwards and Kuminga in the corners and Gobert in the dunker spot. at 16:10
  • The host is concerned about running the McDaniels slip action a lot. It takes the two best offensive players out of the play, and Gobert and Kuminga are the two worst shooters among the five, so spacing would be poor in theory. at 19:16
  • The host would prefer to see Jonathan Kuminga as the screener in that action more often. That lets McDaniels, the better catch-and-shoot shooter, space the floor, and gets Kuminga downhill without asking him to attack off the dribble on the perimeter. at 20:02
  • The host says McDaniels and Kuminga will each have plenty of opportunities in this offense, with which one gets more depending on the night. He expects the team to switch up who sets the screens. at 22:40

  “How The Minnesota Timberwolves' Offense DOMINATED | Unlocking Jonathan Kuminga & Jaden McDaniels” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 2 points · Oct 21
  • Host says Kuminga did a great job on Giannis. He calls Kuminga the only Wolf who can be physical and get up underneath bigger players (the 'Julius Randle thing'), which he says isn't McDaniels' or Gobert's game. at 18:36
  • Kuminga: 12 points on 10 shots, 3 assists, 4 steals and only one rebound. Host attributes the low rebound total to how often he was guarding the ball. at 5:33

  “Anthony Edwards DROPS 45 POINTS As Minnesota Timberwolves CRUSH Heat In LaMelo Ball's Debut” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 4 points · Oct 21
  • Jack Borman: Borman's X factor was Jonathan Kuminga, mainly for defense. Kuminga fronted the post, was active in passing lanes, and had 4 steals and a block. With McDaniels and Gobert, he switched between guarding Giannis, Bam, Wiggins and Portis. Borman acknowledges his rebounding wasn't there. at 15:35
  • Jack Borman: Kuminga scored 12 on 5-of-10 shooting, made 2 of 4 threes, had no free throws, and had 3 assists to 1 turnover. Borman says he picked his spots and didn't force anything. at 16:38
  • Jack Borman: Borman thinks Kuminga fit in well no matter who else was on the floor. He moved well off the ball to keep spacing, ran in transition, and fought defensively, which he says the team will need all year. at 16:55
  • Jack Borman: Scoring balance: Jaden McDaniels and Ayo Dosunmu combined for 33. Kuminga and "TJ" combined for 22. at 18:09

  “WOLVES POSTCAST: Anthony Edwards and Timberwolves ROUT Miami Heat—45-Point NIGHT SIGNALS Big SEASON” · listen ↗

• Podcast All The Smoke · 2 points · Oct 21
  • Kuminga turned down his extension and went to Atlanta, which did not really work out. The speaker says 'they' (apparently Minnesota) got him on a steal. at 57:10
  • Opinion: Kuminga is at his best at the four alongside LaMelo, McDaniels and Gobert. The speaker calls this a big year for him and says his issues are 'between his ears'. at 57:21

  “Jalen Hurts Deserved BETTER Than This” · listen ↗

• Podcast The Athletic NBA Daily host · Analysis · Oct 21 around the league

  Wolves roster/role (per Law): Ayo Dosunmu is one of the best bench guards, and LaMelo is now on the team. Kuminga, more wing than big, is the power forward in place of Julius Randle.

  “What we learned from a chaotic NBA Opening Night” at 51:01 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves host · Prediction · Oct 21

  Host expects a fair amount of small ball with Lyles at the five and Jonathan Kuminga, McDaniels or Terrence Shannon Jr at the four.

  “HOW MANY WINS Will The Minnesota Timberwolves Have? | Predicting The Wolves' Bench + West Finish” at 20:35 · listen ↗

• Podcast Get Up host · Analysis · Oct 20 around the league

  In her Minnesota case, Monica McNutt likes 'the addition of' Jonathan Kuminga as an interesting fit, while calling him unproven. She expects them to defend at a high level, with Anthony Edwards leading the way.

  “Hour 2: 4th and Wrong, Colts Crossroads, King of Brotherly Love” at 35:06 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 4 points · Oct 19
  • Ben Beecken: Jonathan Kuminga joins the starting lineup and adds size and athleticism. Ben frames this as a defensive upgrade over Donte DiVincenzo and Mike Conley. at 5:26
  • Ben Beecken: Ben calls LaMelo Ball the worst defender in the starting lineup, but a smart 6'7" one. He says point-of-attack duty should mostly fall to McDaniels, Kuminga and Edwards, with Ball hidden off the ball. at 6:18
  • Ben Beecken: Ben thinks Kuminga can guard most threes and fours and some twos, which makes him more versatile than Randle. at 7:49
  • Ben Beecken: Ben says Kuminga is a decent corner three-point shooter but not very good above the break. at 28:54

  “Minnesota Timberwolves Predictions: LaMelo Ball's Impact On The Starters + How Good The Offense & Defense Will” · listen ↗

• Podcast Hardwood Knocks · 2 points · Oct 19
  • Dan Favale: Dan expects spacing-heavy Wolves lineups, with McDaniels probably the de facto four when Kuminga sits. at 33:10
  • Dan's guess is a Wolves closing group with four locks (LaMelo, Gobert, Edwards, McDaniels). He thinks Kuminga came to Minnesota believing he could start and maybe close, and asks whether Kuminga will still be starting a few months from now. at 35:25

  “1 Big Question For Every NBA Teams In The Western Conference” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 3 points · Oct 18
  • Sohan was waived by Portland. The host doesn't think the Wolves will sign him, because having Jonathan Kuminga makes him somewhat redundant. at 18:34
  • Host expects the Wolves will probably have Jonathan Kuminga run some offense a little bit. at 18:50
  • Sam Amick (quoted): The host reads from Sam Amick (The Athletic), who describes Edwards, Ball, McDaniels, Jonathan Kuminga and Gobert as forming one of the most intriguing starting fives. at 29:14

  “Minnesota Timberwolves' ROSTER MOVES Open A Two-Way Spot | How Will Wolves Fill The Roster?” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 5 points · Oct 16
  • NBA GM survey (reported): Jonathan Kuminga got one vote for most likely breakout season, listed under 'also receiving votes'. at 11:14
  • Jonathan Kuminga, the host defines a breakout as a season that leads him to opt out and get a much bigger deal next offseason. He calls that 'entirely possible' and 'obviously what he's aiming for'. at 11:29
  • The host thinks Jaden McDaniels will be the main beneficiary of Ball and Edwards, with Gobert maybe next. In his view this will hold back Kuminga's counting stats. at 11:33
  • The host sees Jonathan Kuminga's role as a cutter, a floor runner, and the point forward when Ball or Edwards is off the floor. He expects Kuminga to 'eat' in this offense. at 11:56
  • NBA GM survey (reported): Most underrated acquisition: the LaMelo Ball move and the Kuminga signing tied for fourth at 7% (two GMs each). at 15:59

  “Minnesota Timberwolves SURPRISE In NBA GM Survey: How High Did GMs Rank The Wolves? | Ant for MVP?” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 5 points · Oct 15
  • Jonathan Kuminga had 16 points on six shots in 22 minutes, with 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 2-of-3 from three and 4-of-5 free throws. at 19:02
  • Host calls Kuminga the Wolves' best player and best decision-maker in the game. at 17:28
  • Third-quarter highlight: Kuminga timed a baseline cut off Edwards' drive instead of staying in the corner, then passed to Gobert for a dunk. Host calls it picture-perfect ball movement. at 16:24
  • Host says he did not want the Wolves to sign Kuminga in June and is still dubious about the fit despite this showing. at 18:45
  • Kuminga took the defensive assignment on Cade Cunningham; host calls it a mixed bag, with Cunningham having a pretty good game. at 19:29

  “Minnesota Timberwolves' Offense Starts Fast But Defense Falters In Dress Rehearsal vs. Pistons” · listen ↗

• Podcast Ben Beecken, Locked On Wolves · Report · Oct 14 wording unclear in audio

  In a recent preseason game (the host thinks it was Monday night), Cody Williams started at the four while Jonathan Kuminga was out and Terrence Shannon Jr was not going to play.

  “Minnesota Timberwolves Roster Preview: Deep Bench Questions | Can Cody Williams Level Up?” at 5:38 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Wolves · 4 points · Oct 13
  • An unidentified panelist says Jonathan Kuminga is playing power forward and is probably a little small for the spot. The panelist sees offensive mismatches against bigger teams such as Denver. at 15:18
  • The Wolves' first play of the preseason was a Jonathan Kuminga ball screen that the defense didn't switch; he drove right-handed and finished. The speaker reads this as Finch putting Kuminga in actions that test the defense. at 15:06
  • Jonathan Kuminga (reported): Jack paraphrases Jonathan Kuminga's welcome and media day press conferences: Jack's read is that Kuminga seems to want to focus on defense and rebounding. This is Jack's interpretation, not a direct quote. at 17:00
  • Sam thinks Jonathan Kuminga is the starter most likely not to finish games. He says Jaden, Rudy, LaMelo and Ant will be on the floor, and Finch could go to Ayo Dosunmu if he has the hot hand, or to Terrence Shannon Jr when the matchup calls for him. at 17:29

  “WOLVES SQUAD SHOW: 10 Official Minnesota Timberwolves PREDICTIONS” · listen ↗

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