The Atlanta Hawks are the new leaders in the clubhouse in the highly anticipated pursuit of pending free agent Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Alexander-Walker, fresh off an impressive showing with the Minnesota Timberwolves, is arguably the top guard option expected to be available, and optimism about his fit with the Hawks has grown in popularity as the offseason has gotten underway.
The Stein Line’s Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported the updated running.
“The Hawks are now being more frequently projected by rival teams as the team in pole position — ahead of Detroit — to acquire Nickeil Alexander-Walker in a potential sign-and-trade deal with Minnesota,” Fischer and Stein wrote on June 30.
“The Hawks can comfortably absorb Alexander-Walker into their $25.3 million traded player exception that was created a year ago when Dejounte Murray was shipped to New Orleans. It appears that it would be the Timberwolves this time who create a trade exception in the process.”
Alexander-Walker turns 27 years old in September. He averaged 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists.
That TPE has long been viewed and a potential power play for the Hawks, and its July 7 expiration date makes it an ideal tool to use to secure a preferred target.
As for Alexander-Walker, he has said he is open to returning to Minnesota.
However, new contracts for Julius Randle and Naz Reid, and the presence of 2024 first-round pick Rob Dillingham, have sealed Alexander-Walker's fate with the Timberwolves, per The Athletic’s John Krawczynski in June 29.
Atlanta and Detroit were viewed as co-frontrunners on June 29, underscoring how rapidly the situation is evolving with the legal tampering period in free agency starting on July 1 at 6 pm ET.
Hawks well armed heading into free agency
“Atlanta is still in good shape to be able to use the NTMLE, even after acquiring Kristaps Porzingis,” Spotrac’s Keith Smith wrote on June 27. “The Hawks should have enough space to re-sign Caris LeVert, add someone via the NTMLE and fill out their roster without tripping over the luxury tax line.”
With trades to acquire Kristaps Porzingis and a future first round pick, the latter of which also yielded Asa Newell with the No. 23 overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh is off to a strong start in his first season at the helm.
He appears primed to continue his aggressive approach, given the early returns.
There remain a lot of moving parts that will affect how this offseason is viewed. But it is hard to ignore the positive trend the Hawks have enjoyed so far.
Alexander-Walker should give the Hawks some offensive juice off the bench behind Trae Young, and he is an intriguing defensive pairing alongside Dyson Daniels, the 2024-25 Most Improved Player who also earned All-Defensive First Team honors.
And since the Hawks cleared several roster spots, they can retain 2023 first-rounder Kobe Bufkin.