The Timberwolves‘ efforts to make Jonathan Cumming the desire played a major role in helping them land the free agent forward when other teams could offer more money. These gestures continued at his introductory press conference on Thursday, writes John Krawczynski of The Athletic.
Cumingo was greeted with a “Welcome back” message on a giant video screen outside the Target Center as he prepared to explain to reporters why he decided to come to Minnesota.
“They wanted me to be here and it was real” he said. “They were very genuine people and you could sit down and talk to them. You can’t sit down and talk to a lot of people about certain things, and I think that’s when I got a sense of the atmosphere — including (Anthony Edwards). He and I sat on the phone and talked about some things and it made me feel very comfortable. I think it was a very easy decision to make after talking to (the front office staff). Alonzo Guy) and (president of basketball operations Tim Connelly) and the rest of the guys.”
Edwards was in charge of recruiting, and he showed up to greet Cummings when he arrived in Minneapolis. Connelly and Gee flew to Miami for a one-on-one meeting with Cuminga to talk about what his future with the Wolves will look like, and the owner Alex Rodriguez stretched too. These efforts paid off when Kuminga agreed to Fr a two-year, $12.5 million contract in late August, which includes a player option for a second season.
Kuminga endured four and a half difficult years with Golden State, often at odds with the coach Steve Kerr over his role in the team and fluctuations in playing time. He was traded to Atlanta in February, but was still used primarily as a backup, then found himself in free agency again when the Hawks refused their $24.3 million team option for next season.
Cummings is expected to get the guaranteed starting spot he craved with Wolves looking for a forward after the trade Julius Randle and Naz Reed it’s the offseason. Before he signed, the team’s best option at the position was Trey Lyleswho played in Europe last season.
That bonus helped Connelly convince Cummings to choose the Wolves when other interested teams could double his $6 million starting salary, Krawczynski adds. The Lakers were particularly interested and were reportedly willing to offer a longer-term contract, but they needed to work out a sign-and-trade to add Kuminga and couldn’t find teams willing to help with that. Kravchinsky states that Trail Blazers also “floated” at Kuminga’s free will.
“It just seems like a coincidence” Connelly said. “It feels like the right time, right place. We’re a team that needs what he brings both on and off the court, and I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. What we told him from the first time we sat down is to have fun, enjoy yourself. He’s produced every year. He’s won every year. His first five years have been fantastic, and hopefully his sixth is the best.”
Also in the press conference, Cummings said that he is eager to showcase his defensive skills by playing alongside high-level defenders like Edwards, Rudy Gober and Jayden McDaniels. He tried to ease concerns that he would play out his next contract, given that he has a chance to re-enter free agency next summer.
“As long as I come here every day and I’m a winner, a good teammate and a good person, everything will work itself out.” – said Kuminga. “I don’t have to do anything I haven’t done before. I don’t think that’s my goal or what I’m looking forward to. It’s just trying to win.”
