The Los Angeles Lakers did everything in their power to lure Jonathan Kuminga. More money, an extra year, and, reportedly, even a starting role. But when NBA insider Shams Charania revealed where the former Warrior chose to continue his career, it turned Rob Pelinka into the subject of another brutal online eruption.
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Before we get to Pelinka, here is what Kuminga said yes to. Charania reports that Kuminga agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves that includes a player option. The 23-year-old is expected to start alongside Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert.
The destination wasn’t the only surprise. Kuminga reportedly chose Minnesota over offers from the Lakers, Bulls, and Trail Blazers. LA reportedly also offered him a starting opportunity along with more than $12 million annually over three years. Instead, Kuminga has accepted the shorter Minnesota deal. Why?
NBA insider Mike Scotto revealed Kuminga felt the Timberwolves offered him the “best basketball fit.” Executive Tim Connelly and new ownership duo Marc Stad and Alex Rodriguez united behind the scenes to convince the player to join them. Connelly also flew to Miami for a “face-to-face meeting” with Kuminga, according to The Athletic.
Kuminga brings a super-reliable attacking presence to the Timberwolves. He is a natural lob catcher and transition partner for fellow new signing LeMelo while also serving as an iso-scorer when Edwards is double-teamed. His near-career-best 5.6 rebounds from last season also plug a defensive weakness in Minnesota.
Essentially, Kuminga is betting on himself to have a big season and earn a bigger future payday. The youngster has prioritized greater control over his future with this high-upside move, sacrificing an extra $23 million he would’ve made in LA.
The Timberwolves news would’ve obviously stung the Lakers front office badly. Kuminga had emerged as an intriguing target, particularly because of his ability to defend, something LA lacked in their starters. A role alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves would’ve given him a chance to reset his career entirely.
Instead, Minnesota won the race. It speaks to how far they’ve come as an organization. They couldn’t offer big money or long-term security, but anonymous sources told The Athletic they presented “an opportunity” for him “to play big minutes for a Western Conference contender and repair his value.”
Lakers fans, however, didn’t digest that outcome quietly and have waged war on Rob Pelinka, not the first time this offseason.
Why Jonathan Kuminga’s decision is deemed a ‘monumental embarrassment’ for Rob Pelinka
The fan reactions on social media centered on the uncomfortable details of Jonathan Kuminga’s choice. One Lakers Nation member summed up the situation bluntly: “More money, an extra year, and a starting job in LA. Kuminga said no anyway. Getting out-recruited by Minnesota is a brutal look for Rob Pelinka.”
It’s been a steep slope for Pelinka’s reputation among the fanbase in the last two months. The front-office executive drew widespread criticism for wagering LA’s future on an aggressive pivot into the Luka Doncic era. Pelinka traded two first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps to the Utah Jazz to acquire Walker Kessler on a four-year, $130 million deal.
The fans turned furious for two reasons. Although he projects a high career ceiling, Kessler has crossed the 65-game threshold only once in four seasons. He only played five games during the 2025-26 campaign. So, technically, in the present day, Pelinka exhausted all the team’s draft capital on hope.
Yes, Pelinka did follow that acquisition with decent deals, also locking in Austin Reaves on a long-term contract, but this Kuminga debacle will stand out for a long time.
Another fan pointed to how badly many Purple and Gold supporters had wanted the forward in the first place, writing, “lol laker fans were begging for him.”
The frustration also produced a familiar prediction, with one user joking, “Now Lakers are gonna call him trash anyways after months of wanting him.”
Kuminga is set up to have a major season. He played 16 regular-season games with the Hawks and averaged 12.3 points. He scored in double digits in six playoff games, including the 21-point game against the Knicks. Although Atlanta then didn’t accept the finances on his player option, Kuminga now joins a better team.
The Timberwolves internally believe Kuminga has “untapped defensive potential and a powerful, versatile playing style,” according to The Athletic, and that signifies the player will compete in a healthy environment. Meanwhile, the Minnesota franchise also has a lot to prove about its postseason capability.
For Minnesota supporters and rival fans, however, the decision carried different meaning. “Kuminga picked the Wolves and Minnesota over LA. We used to pray for times like this,” a fan wrote, highlighting just how unusual it still feels to see a player choose the Wolves over the Lakers despite a more lucrative offer.
The harshest reaction came from a Lakers supporter who turned directly toward the organization’s leadership: “This is a monumental f***ing embarrassment for my Lakers. I am sick, sick, SICK of Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss.”
Well, Governor Jeanie is currently involved in trying to settle a family matter of her own as her siblings attempted to sell their stake in the Lakers without telling her. For the time being, it is quite unclear how the LA front office is functioning with the sudden ownership transition and Buss family rift.
But the posts kept coming. Across platforms, Pelinka’s name was mocked not just for losing out on Kuminga but for losing him to a team offering less money.