The Atlanta Hawks have needed an option off the bench to keep the offense rolling when Trae Young sits. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker would be a suitable option, but there is a significant hurdle.
Alexander-Walker and the Timberwolves were eliminated from the playoffs by his cousin, Oklahoma City Thunder star and 2024-25 NBA MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
He is expected to be too expensive for Minnesota, but the Hawks would face competition.
“The reality, though, is that Alexander-Walker is bound to generate the most significant external interest of the three — especially coming off a season in which he earned just $4.3 million,” The Stein Line’s Mark Stein wrote on May 31. “Next season’s full midlevel exception will be worth more than three times what Alexander-Walker made last season at $14.1 million … with rumbles already in circulation that Orlando is a team to watch as a potential suitor.”
Alexander-Walker had a strong season, averaging 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while knocking down 38.1% of his deep looks. That is actually his low mark over the past three seasons.
He posted an 8.3/2.3/1.8 line in the postseason.
Alexander-Walker’s projected value fits with the Hawks’ offseason flexibility.
“The Hawks have the flexibility to use their $14.1 million non-tax mid-level exception and still be active in the trade market,” ESPN’s Bobby Marks wrote in his season-ending wrap-up of the Hawks’ offseason outlook.
Magic looking to tip scales from Hawks
The Hawks and Magic split their regular season series, with the latter taking their matchup in the first round of the Play-In Tournament to advance to the playoffs.
However, the Hawks have actually lost the last three straight outings against the Magic in which both teams were playing their full available complement of players, including that Play-In Tournament showdown.
The Magic’s biggest issue this past season was indeed their lack of offense.
They ranked second in defensive rating during the regular season but were 27th on the offensive end.
Alexander-Walker has always been a spark-plug scorer, topping out at 11.0 PPG in 2021-22 while still with the New Orleans Pelicans. He could join Dyson Daniels as the next former Pels guard to breakout – or continue to do so in Alexander-Walker’s case, with the Hawks.
Daniels won Most Improved Player of the Year for his efforts this past season.
He also earned All-Defensive First Team honors. Alexander-Walker is unlikely to achieve that, but could be a Sixth Man of the Year candidate in the right situation, perhaps like in Atlanta.