The Minnesota Timberwolves were bullied and pushed aside by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals and are about to enter an offseason with brutal consequences.
As a result of their hefty spending, one key free agent is set to leave the team this summer, and the Spurs need to keep their eyes peeled. That player is savvy defender and fiery three-point shooter, Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Does the fit make sense for the Spurs?
Alexander-Walker is coming off another solid year in his young career, posting stats of 9.4 points, 2.7 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game. Most enticing, he shot a flaming 38.1% from beyond the arc on 4.5 attempts per game.
The 26-year-old is a man of steel, having played all 82 games for two years in a row. He is best suited off the bench but can flex into the starting lineup if need be.
The cousin of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nickeil hangs his hat on the defensive end, bringing gritty and passionate effort and uses his 6'5" frame to defend 1-3. With that, Alexander-Walker has the versatility to play either shooting guard or small forward.
The Canadian has come up huge for the Timberwolves in the playoffs in recent years, adding 20+ points off the bench in a collection of key games. On the Spurs, his microwave shooting would make for a crucial addition to the bench unit. As the Spurs prepare to enter heated playoff matchups, his ability to heat up and score in bunches is game-changing.
Slotted into closing lineups, Alexander-Walker has been tasked with defending several prominent scorers and did his job valiantly. As the Spurs currently lack viable wing defenders, he would slot right in to aid Wembanyama in the defensive efforts.
In all, Alexander-Walker is the epitome of a great role player who can fit almost anywhere. However, this makes him an exceedingly valued member of the upcoming free agent class.
Alexander-Walker will come at steep cost
As three-and-D role players become more valuable in the modern NBA, it will be a dogfight to get hold of Alexander-Walker. There will most certainly be a dozen-plus teams vying for his services, which in turn, will shoot his contract value through the roof.
Orlando's 2024 offseason acquisition, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, provides a good example of what he may cost. Last summer, Caldwell-Pope received a 3-year $66 million contract, which suggests that Alexander-Walker is likely to warrant a contract of that proportion.
To make a move like this happen, it will likely mean that 2026 impending free agents Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley are left without a deal, and Jeremy Sochan is not given the Brinks truck.
Additionally, it would make much more sense for the Spurs to target a player like Alexander-Walker in a scenario in which one of Keldon Johnson or Devin Vassell is traded away in a win-now move in the offseason.
Nonetheless, the results of Minnesota's embarrassing loss might have just opened the door to a potentially awesome addition for the Spurs this summer. Keep your eye out for Nickeil Alexander-Walker as the Spurs plan to assemble a dominant playoff squad.