Timberwolves Trade NAW; Former Players Sign Elsewhere

By    |  
Updated:
Follow Us
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Minnesota Timberwolves
Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Although contracts can’t officially be signed until July 6, NBA free agency kicked off in earnest on Monday night. The Minnesota Timberwolves had already extended key bigs, Naz Reid and Julius Randle over the weekend, which ultimately lead to Luka Garza and Josh Minott being cut loose.

Minnesota Timberwolves send NAW to Atlanta for payday

On Monday, the Wolves started the day by re-upping for one more year of player/unofficial bench coach, Joe Ingles. Then, later in the evening, it news broke that the Timberwolves had traded Nickeil Alexander-Walker to the Atlanta Hawks in a sign and trade that netted them a 2nd round pick and a future trade exception.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker played the 2024-25 season on one of the most team-friendly contracts in the NBA. In his second full season with the Minnesota Timberwolves NAW became a rotation fixture and one of the most under-the-radar stars in the game. Now he gets his payday.

For some time, it’s been assumed that he would sign elsewhere this offseason, given Minnesota’s current financial situation. His market was going to be robust, so the Timberwolves took advantage by trading him before he hit the open market.

Timberwolves hamstrung by 2nd Apron

From here, president of basketball operations Tim Connelly is expected to sit back for the majority of the offseason. The Minnesota Timberwolves 2025-26 salary number now sits at $204.3 million, according to Spotrac.

That leaves them just $3.5 million short of the 2nd apron luxury tax threshold, of $207.8 million. The Wolves must stay below that number or face massive penalties, both financial and from a roster-building standpoint.

The Timberwolves orchestrated a sign-and-trade with Alexander-Walker to facilitate his new deal with Atlanta. They did pick up a second round pick and some cash in the swap.

The four-year $62 million payday was substantially more than Minnesota would have been able to offer him. Last season NAW made $4.3 million in the second year of a two-year $9 million extension he signed with the Timberwolves.

NAW played all 82 games for Minnesota this season. It was the second-straight year he had accomplished that feat. He also made 10 starts for Chris Finch. In 2024-25 NAW averaged 9.4 points per game on 43.8% shooting.

He now heads to an Atlanta team with Trae Young at the helm. It should be expected that Alexander-Walker will be given a bit more freedom in the rotation even after averaging 25.3 minutes per game with the Minnesota Timberwolves this past year.

More former Wolves find new homes

It wasn’t just NAW that was on the move Monday night. Monday night’s pre-free agency frenzy saw multiple former Minnesota Timberwolves sign on the dotted line with other teams around the league.

It didn’t take long for Luka Garza to find a new home, after the Wolves declined his player option for the upcoming season. Last night, the former Iowa Hawkeye superstar agreed to terms with the Boston Celtics on a two-year deal worth $5.5 million guaranteed.

It has been a while since Tyus Jones played for the Timberwolves. However, the “one of us” guard could have potentially been an option to fill the playmaker role Minnesota needs this summer. In theory, a reunion made sense.

Unfortunately, that won’t happen. Instead, he will join another fellow Twin Cities native, Jalen Suggs, in Orlando, after he and the Magic agreed to terms on a new deal. Speaking of “keeping up with the Jones'”, Tyus’ little brother Tre Jones is staying in Chicago, after he signed a three-year contract for $24 million.

Related: Minnesota Timberwolves Bring Back Veteran Free Agent

The memories of D’Angelo Russell, around these parts, aren’t all that positive. Since being traded away, the former Minnesota Timberwolves point guard has bounced around between Los Angeles and Brooklyn.

Now, he is joining the Dallas Mavericks, where he’ll team up with Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis and top pick Cooper Flagg on what appears to be an immediate title contender a future title contender

Mentioned in this article:

More About:
0What do you think?Post a comment.