The Minnesota Timberwolves rounded out their starting roster earlier this week when they signed Jonathan Kuminga for a two-year deal worth $12 million.

Kuminga is expected to join Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert in the starting lineup.

In signing Kuminga, the Timberwolves will be $2 million over the second apron line. They’ll need to make a roster decision in an effort to get under the line or face an even bigger tax bill and restrictions.

According to Jon Krawczynski and Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Wolves will look to trade Josh Green, who is making $14.6 million. If no trade materializes, the team could waive and stretch his contract, meaning it would carry $4.9 million of the contract in each of the next three seasons.

With the Minnesota @Timberwolves signing Jonathan Kuminga they have created a small problem. They are facing a 2nd apron crisis. They are going to most likely explore trading Josh Green or Donte Divencenzo to make sure they stay under the @NBA dreaded 2nd apron. One option… pic.twitter.com/tsHh5D7fDl

— Fritz Alcindor Jr. (@FritzHandles) August 27, 2026

What To Do?

A trade would be the preferred choice of the Timberwolves as it would allow them to get a player in return, though that player would have to carry a salary that’s at least $2 million less than Green’s $14.6 million to keep them under the apron.

Green has value in the league as a floor spacer who shot 42% from three last season and has solid defensive metrics. He’s also on an expiring contract. If a team has a more long-term contract that is around $10 million per season that they don’t love, maybe they are willing to swap the long-term deal for Green’s deal.

If the Wolves are going to waive and stretch Green’s contract, they won’t have long to make a decision as the NBA waive-and-stretch deadline for 2026-27 player salaries is Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 4:00 PM Central Time

Not sure if it’s possible but if there’s any way to keep Josh Green I think that would be smart.
Seeing some rumors he may be the odd man out now to get us below the second apron. We will have to see what Tim is able to do. Always have trust that it’s going to workout. pic.twitter.com/My5oMeg3ES

— SleeperTimberwolves (@SleeperTWolves) August 27, 2026

Can They Find A Trade?

Typically in these situations, the team looking to get rid of a contract they aren’t thrilled with will have to attach a draft pick as a sweetener.

Minnesota just did this to start the offseason when they traded Julius Randle and a first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for a second-round pick just to shed Randle’s deal.

Minnesota currently has no tradeable draft picks, even in the second round. Lacking even one second-round pick to send to a team along with Green means finding a team that is desperate enough to get off the contract they currently have, as Minnesota is to get off Green’s.

Other teams also know Minnesota is desperate to make a deal to get under the second apron, hampering their leverage even more.

With the waive and stretch deadline looming, a trade will have to materialize quickly.