It’s barely been 2 days since the news broke out that Jonathan Kuminga’s headed to Minnesota. But the NBA Champ’s arrival may have already forced the Timberwolves into another surprising move. Just days after landing the former Warriors forward, the Wolves front office has now made a trade that could quietly be just as important to its offseason plans.

The benefits of this new trade look three-fold.

• The move brings in a young former lottery pick with a famous NBA connection
• It adds a veteran presence to the rotation
• And perhaps most importantly, helps create the financial flexibility needed to complete the Kuminga deal.

Shams Charania reported, “The Minnesota Timberwolves are trading Josh Green and cash to the Utah Jazz for Cody Williams and John Konchar, sources tell ESPN.”

The move comes just days after the Timberwolves agreed to a two-year, $12.4 million deal with Jonathan Kuminga. Minnesota is expected to keep Williams while waiving and stretching Konchar.

More importantly, moving Green’s $14.7 million contract gives the Wolves the salary space they need to sign Kuminga using the taxpayer midlevel exception officially.

Green had only recently joined Minnesota as part of the LaMelo Ball deal. The 6-foot-6 Australian wing averaged just 4.3 points in limited minutes during the 2025-26 season and was primarily relied upon for his defense. The Jazz had been looking for another 3-and-D wing, and Green gives them exactly that profile.

For Minnesota, meanwhile, moving his contract was far more important to complete the Jonathan Kuminga deal. So Green is already on the move again in exchange for two players who offer very different things.

Cody is the younger brother of Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams, who helped the Thunder win the 2025 NBA championship. The younger Williams now gets an opportunity to restart his career in a completely different environment. In fact, the Thunder forward even shared a message on Instagram about his younger brother’s trade, keeping the NBA rivalry alive.

“See you on Christmas brudda.”

The 21-year-old was the No. 10 overall pick in 2024 and has already started 62 games through his first two NBA seasons. His production, however, has not matched his draft status.

Williams averaged 8.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 24 minutes per game for Utah last season, while his shooting remained a major concern. Still, the upside is obvious. At 6-foot-8, Williams has the size Minnesota wants on the wing, and there is plenty of time for the former lottery pick to figure things out. Konchar, on the other hand, appears to be headed for a very different outcome.

For years, Konchar has been a reliable utility player, boasting an impressive assist-to-turnover ratio while providing solid defense. He can also attack the rim when needed.

That would have made him a useful insurance option for Minnesota, especially if Terrence Shannon Jr. or Jaylen Clark struggle during the season. But the Wolves do not appear to need him on the roster.

Green’s $14.7 million salary provided the key to creating the financial room to complete the Jonathan Kuminga deal while finding a way to hold on to a former lottery pick worth developing.

Wolves left no stone unturned in Jonathan Kuminga’s pursuit

Jonathan Kuminga had multiple options in free agency, but the Minnesota Timberwolves eventually gave him the combination he wanted most. The Lakers made a push for the 23-year-old and explored sign-and-trade possibilities. However, Los Angeles, the Atlanta Hawks and Kuminga were unable to find a deal that worked for everyone. Minnesota, meanwhile, stayed aggressive. The Timberwolves had made Kuminga a priority for weeks. They were willing to use their best remaining financial tool, the taxpayer midlevel exception, but money was only part of the pitch.

Minnesota also offered Kuminga a bigger role and a chance to take on more responsibility on the floor. Anthony Edwards reportedly played a major part in the recruiting effort, too. The Timberwolves star was heavily involved in trying to convince Kuminga to choose Minnesota. Team president Tim Connelly took the pitch a step further, flying to Miami earlier this month for a four-hour meeting with the forward. Head coach Chris Finch also spent time talking with Jonathan Kuminga.

In the end, the Timberwolves’ persistence appeared to make the difference. While the Lakers had interest, Minnesota gave Jonathan Kuminga control over his future and the basketball opportunity he was looking for.