The financial hurdle has brought Josh Green into the spotlight. Green was part of the package that included LaMelo Ball in a summer deal with Charlotte, and a potential trade proposal has circulated that would send Green to the Lakers in exchange for Dalton Knecht and Jaden Hardy. The math, rather than Green’s on-court fit, is the primary driver behind this idea.
Why Green matters in Minnesota’s calendar
Minnesota is operating under the NBA’s second apron after the Ball trade, and the team has agreed to use the $6.1 million taxpayer midlevel exception on Kuminga. However, the Timberwolves currently lack sufficient room beneath the hard cap to finalize Kuminga’s signing while adhering to league roster rules. Green’s contract, $14.7 million in expiring salary, presents the clearest path to adjust the payroll to fit Kuminga without breaking cap constraints.
Analysts have outlined two main options for Green:
– Trade Green and receive at least one player in return, enabling a minimum payroll reduction of $2.1 million.
– Move Green without taking back salary, but generate at least $4.5 million in savings to accommodate Kuminga and another minimum-salaried signing.
A two-for-one trade with the Lakers—sending Green to L.A. for Knecht and Hardy—would meet the necessary cap adjustments. It would also provide Minnesota with two potential rotation pieces, while helping the Lakers trim their roster to fit under the league’s cap rules. This route could be especially advantageous for Minnesota if Donte DiVincenzo misses the season, as it adds depth without compromising long-term flexibility.
The broader context for Minnesota
Even before Kuminga’s agreement, Green’s expiring contract had been viewed as a potential asset for reshaping Minnesota’s frontcourt after the Ball trade. Kuminga’s arrival accelerates that repositioning, with the Timberwolves weighing short-term needs against long-term flexibility.
Important dates looming
A key deadline arrives on Saturday: the NBA’s waiver and stretch deadline for 2026-27 guaranteed salaries. If a suitable Green trade cannot be completed, Minnesota could consider waiving and stretching Green’s contract as an alternative. Stretching would spread the $14.7 million over about $4.9 million per year for three seasons, providing immediate cap relief but leaving a future financial burden.
Trade over stretch
Most observers favor a trade over stretching, given the potential to bring back contributing players while preserving future flexibility. Minnesota has already invested heavily in draft capital to rebuild around Anthony Edwards, particularly through the Ball deal, which limits the team’s ability to attach additional picks purely to entice a third party to absorb Green.
Kuminga’s signing, a pivotal step
Kuminga’s commitment moves Minnesota closer to finalizing a reshaped roster, but the numbers must align. The team’s next move needs to satisfy both basketball and financial realities to ensure the signing is completed within league rules and without creating unnecessary dead money.
Bottom line
The Timberwolves have landed a player they prioritised, but unlocking the full deal hinges on how they manage the payroll and cap implications surrounding Green. A strategic two-for-one trade with the Lakers remains a plausible path to clear the required room and bring in Knecht and Hardy as fresh rotation options. If Minnesota can execute that move, Kuminga’s arrival could signal a sharper, more adaptable roster capable of competing at a higher level. The coming days will reveal whether the math aligns with the on-court plans the Timberwolves have for Kuminga and the rest of the roster.
