The Atlanta Hawks are gaining traction as the leading candidate to acquire Nickeil Alexander-Walker in a sign-and-trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to NBA insiders Jake Fischer and Marc Stein via Stein’s Substack.
Rival executives now view Atlanta as being ahead of the Detroit Pistons in the race for the 26-year-old guard, whose two-way impact made him a key rotation piece for Minnesota last season.
Alexander-Walker averaged 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in the 2024–25 campaign while connecting on 38.1 percent of his three-point attempts.
His perimeter defense and catch-and-shoot ability were integral to a Timberwolves squad that reached the Western Conference Finals.
However, Minnesota’s financial outlook complicates their ability to retain the Canadian guard.
The Timberwolves re-signed Naz Reid to a five-year, $125 million extension earlier this week and have signed a $100 million deal with Julius Randle.
Alexander-Walker is coming off a two-year, $9 million contract signed in 2023 and is projected to earn upwards of $14 million annually on his next deal.
The Hawks, who finished 40–42 and secured the East’s No. 8 seed before falling short in the Play-In, are looking to bolster their backcourt rotation after a first-round exit.
Meanwhile, Detroit remains in the mix after a 44–38 season and a six-game first-round series loss to the Knicks.
