The Timberwolves have decided against issuing a qualifying offer to Nickeil Alexander-Walker, making the former first-round pick an unrestricted free agent, league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).
However, according to Scotto, the Wolves are still hopeful Alexander-Walker is open to reunion after they acquired him in February via trade. Minnesota could have made him a restricted free agent and had the right of first refusal had the team extended the $7,073,602 QO, but instead he’ll hit the open market.
The 17th pick of the 2019 draft, Alexander-Walker spent his first two-plus seasons with the Pelicans before being moved at the 2022 trade deadline. He was technically a Trail Blazer for one day before being re-routed to Utah, where he spent a year prior to being sent to Minnesota four months ago.
In 59 games (15.0 MPG) with the Jazz and Wolves in 2022/23, Alexander-Walker averaged 5.9 PPG, 1.8 APG and 1.7 RPG on .444/.384/.667 shooting. He also chipped in 8.4 PPG, 2.0 RPG and 1.4 APG on .429/.400/.667 shooting in five playoff games (29.6 MPG).
While those numbers don’t necessarily jump off the page, he made major strides defensively last season, playing a critical role down the stretch for the Wolves as a perimeter stopper. That role increased due to late-season injuries to key rotation players like Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, and to a lesser extent Kyle Anderson, who sustained an eye injury in Minnesota’s first-round loss to the Nuggets.
Still just 24 years old, the Canadian guard/forward will be an interesting player to monitor when free agency kicks off tomorrow. Alexander-Walker should have plenty of suitors given his blend of skills, particularly defensively.
This comes as a surprise. He’s got a lot of talent and whoever get him this summer is getting somebody that can guard three positions and have offensive upside.
Cost to stitch his name on jerseys was just too expensive.
KAT to Hornets for Hayward, Kai Jones and/or Mark Williams and 2 1sts (’25, ’27).
Hornets find a way to move off Rozier and go with LaMelo/Bridges/Miller/Washington/KAT for the future.
Wolves get relief needed to extend Edwards and McDaniels comfortably, bring in NAW and Jevon Carter for a total of $12-14M AAV split bgetween the tw somehowo, o from there.
2023-24:
Conley / ANT / Jaden / Anderson / Gobert
Carter / NAW / Hayward / + Jones / Reid OR Reid / Williams
No way the wolves move him a package that lackluster even if it is smart
Wolves laugh, hang up, and block
Review the terms of the Gobert trade,
Utah is still ROTFL.
Connolly WILL answer the call
BUT
Negotiate for less of a return for KAT.
Maybe he should go play with his cousin in OKC
Better re-sign him.