Preseason overreactions are its own things, but who does not love just a little bit of trolling? Los Angeles Lakers fans are sure getting their fair share of that joy after watching Jonathan Kuminga's stinker from the Minnesota Timberwolves' 123-112 loss to the Indiana Pacers.
Kuminga got his fair share of attempts in the matchup, being tied for the third most shots taken by a Timberwolves player in this one. Only one of them found the bottom of the basket. The Wolves forward shot 1-of-9 from the field and 0-for-3 from beyond the arc, finishing with just two points.
This is just preseason. Kuminga's brutal shooting display does not count for anything tangible against the Timberwolves' success in this campaign. However, it is still quite funny seeing him be the only Wolves starter who shot (well) below 50 percent. You would forgive any Lakers fan for doing a bit of trolling.
After the long and drawn-out free agency saga that Los Angeles experienced with Kuminga this summer, can you really blame any jabs from the fandom? That feels especially true after some of the odd justifications for passing over the Lakers too. Those annoying memories are still fresh.
Jonathan Kuminga's preseason stinker warrants a good chuckle
Ultimately, Kuminga owed the Lakers nothing. This has less to do with him choosing the Timberwolves and much more to do with how exhausting the process was with him. That is where many in Los Angeles will find their disdain for him.
There is a good chance the Lakers are simply better off without Kuminga. Guys like Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle, either of whom could win the starting job that JK passed up, are already quite well-liked by the fans. They have quickly proven themselves quite valuable and bought in.
Lakers training camp was healthy and buzzing with the open competition for the starting jobs. That may not have been possible had Kuminga joined.
Despite the feeling of being better off, why not have your cake and eat it too?
Lakers fans can enjoy the direction their team is going on. They can also take a minute and have their laugh at an offensive dud from the guy who thought he was better off somewhere else.
Kuminga might end up having a solid campaign in Minnesota when the chapter is closed on 2026-27. Maybe the payday he has been chasing finds him next summer as a result. That will not stop Lakers fans from looking in his direction and having a laugh at every stumble that comes in the meantime.
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