When reports leaked of Minnesota reaching an agreement with free agent Jonathan Kuminga — to massive headlines and the excitement of Timberwolves fans — there was one little problem: Minnesota didn’t yet have the cap space to pay him. Yet. Minnesota was hard-capped at the second apron and just about $4 million below that number, but it needed more than $6 million in space to give Kuminga the promised taxpayer mid-level exception.
Enter a late Friday night trade: Minnesota is sending wing Josh Green to Utah and in return getting back Cody Williams and John Konchar, a story broken by Shams Charania of ESPN and confirmed Saturday morning by the teams.
A Green trade was expected, he had come to Minnesota as part of the LaMelo Ball trade, and clearing his $14.7 million contract off the books was the cleanest way for Minnesota to get the room under the apron it needed. Minnesota plans to keep Williams — taking a chance on the No. 10 pick from just two years ago, a 6’8″ wing who was inconsistent, shot 21.4% from 3 last season, and never established himself with the Jazz — but will waive-and-stretch Konchar’s $6.2 million salary, meaning a cap hit of just $2.1 million.
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Once all the moves are completed, that gives the Timberwolves about $10.6 million under the second apron to sign Kuminga and have the breathing room for another move in season, if needed.
Utah lands Green, the six-year veteran who struggled last season in Charlotte after returning from shoulder surgery and averaged 4.3 points per game, but did shoot 42% from beyond the arc. Where Green can earn minutes for Will Hardy in Utah is with his defense, which has always been good and is a point of emphasis for Utah this season. There are minutes for Green to earn off the bench, he will get his chance.
And now Minnesota will get Kuminga.
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