The Minnesota Timberwolves are attempting to continue to build a championship-contending roster following back-to-back Western Conference finals appearances. One player who will, unfortunately, not be a part of those plans is Nickeil Alexander‑Walker. He has been integral for the Timberwolves in the past two years and is one of only five players to play in all 82 games over the past two seasons. However, the Wolves would not be able to keep Alexander-Walker on their roster without exceeding the second apron; as a result, he is now on his way out of Minnesota.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have established themselves as a contender in the Western Conference
The Timberwolves have made some smart moves in the past few years that have enabled them to compete at the highest level in the NBA. Anthony Edwards is the star of the team, and Naz Reid and Julius Randle have served as key role players in their pursuit of a title. With the Oklahoma City Thunder’s dominance in the past two years, the Western Conference has become very competitive indeed.
The Wolves managed to get themselves to the Western Conference Finals for two years in a row, being beaten both times. So it was evident to the front office that some tweaking of the roster would be needed to get past that last hurdle to get to the NBA Finals. In order not to exceed the second apron, the Wolves have decided to let go of Nickeil Alexander-Walker to make room in their budget.
The Julius Randle and Naz Reid contracts were the nail in the coffin for Alexander-Walker
The speculation surrounding the players entering the free agency this offseason has led to a mirage of trades and possible moves for some of the biggest players in the NBA. Following their positive results in the past two seasons, the Timberwolves have now reached agreements with both Naz Reid and Julius Randle to stay in Minnesota. Their contracts are worth four years and $125 million and three years, $100 million, respectively.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been traded to the Atlanta Hawks by the Wolves
Following the huge contract deals with Reid and Randle, there was no room left in the cap for Alexander-Walker. His performances for the Wolves have been a defining factor in their consistent success. He is a beast on defense, and Alexander-Walker became the first player with multiple 20-point games off the bench in a postseason in Timberwolves history.
Despite that, the new rules mean that an expensive bench player like Alexander-Walker has become a luxury that the Wolves can not afford. ESPN’s Shams Charania has reported that the Timberwolves and the Hawks have agreed to a sign-and-trade deal for four years and $62 million for Alexander-Walker. The free agency is due to throw up some surprises this season.
Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young played a role in bringing Alexander-Walker to Georgia
Another player that has signed a deal with the Hawks is three-point marksman Luke Kennard. It has now emerged that the Hawks’ star point guard Trae Young reached out to both Alexander-Walker and Kennard to entice them to join him in Atlanta. Whatever he said must have worked, as the two players are on their way to “the ATL” for next season.
Can Nickeil Alexander-Walker improve even more in Atlanta with the Hawks?
The 2024-25 season was Alexander-Walker’s best to date. He found himself in Minnesota thanks to the Mike Conley deal that brought him to Minnesota in 2023. In his time in the NBA, he has performed consistently well for the New Orleans Pelicans(who drafted him), the Utah Jazz, and the Timberwolves. Atlanta is aiming to build its squad around Young. By adding Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard, the Hawks are aiming high for next season. As the heated speculation around several players continues, Nickeil Alexander-Walker is one of the latest players to be traded in a very busy offseason.
