Teams Inquiring on Vital Timberwolves Role Player Prior to NBA Trade Deadline

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Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Naz Reid - Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden State Warriors
Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Timberwolves got back in the win column on Friday night with a 116-99 victory over a New York Knicks team that was without Karl-Anthony Towns. Anthony Edwards went off for 36 points (8-of-13 from 3PT), 13 rebounds and 7 assists. The Wolves were a +24 when Ant was on the court.

But as our 23-year-old superstar evolves into the prime of his career, so do his paychecks. That’s why KAT was traded to New York in the first place. Both Glen Taylor and Marc Lore – either of which could be the team’s owner by season’s-end – once talked big about writing insane luxury tax checks to keep KAT and Ant together.

Minnesota Timberwolves receiving lots of trade calls on Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Looking back, it’s clear neither was going to pay that insane bill. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly, try to shed more luxury tax penalties, prior to the February 6 NBA trade deadline. That’s why his phone is still ringing with trade offers for key players like Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

Teams have been calling the Timberwolves about Nickeil Alexander-Walker ahead of the trade deadline, per source. Minnesota currently has zero interest in moving Alexander-Walker, an upcoming unrestricted free agent, but executives know about Minnesota’s looming financial crunch.

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Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been a crucial rotation piece for the Minnesota Timberwolves since he arrived via trade from Utah at the 2022-23 NBA trade deadline. This season the 26-year-old out of Virginia Tech is averaging 8.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.4 points on 22.9 minutes per game.

Not only is NAW arguably the Wolves’ best wing defender, but at 42% from deep, he might be their best 3-point shooter (behind Ant). Losing a versatile winning piece like Nickeil off the bench would be devastating to everything the Timberwolves do on both ends of the floor.

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And let’s be real…the Minnesota Timberwolves shouldn’t be trying to sell key pieces to their roster, right now. They are three games over .500, and they have one of the best players on the planet leading their team. Unfortunately, that’s their lot in life, as a second-apron luxury tax team.

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That’s why Connelly will continue to take calls on all Wolves’ talent that isn’t named Anthony Edwards. Alexander-Walker makes a lot of sense because he is due to become an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Technically, the Timberwolves could re-sign NAW. There is no salary cap rule stopping them. But Nickeil makes only $4.3 million this season. His next contract is going to be three to five times that, meaning the luxury tax penalties would be steep. A sixth-man, legitimate three-and-D wing makes a ton of money in today’s NBA.

So you can see why other teams are calling on a pending UFA like NAW. The Minnesota Timberwolves are likely going to lose him for nothing at the end of the season. Other front offices know that so they are trying to swoop in early. Will Connelly get an offer on NAW or another key rotation piece that he just can’t refuse? We’ll see.

Other rotation players that make sense for teams to call on

There are multiple trade candidates on the Timberwolves’ roster who could help ease luxury tax penalties if moved. Donte DiVincenzo has struggled since the Wolves traded for him before the start of the season. He’s making $11.5 million.

Joe Ingles doesn’t play at all and he is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He and his $2.2 million salary is probably as good as gone. Then, there is Julius Randle ($33 million) and Naz Reid ($14 million). Both big men have player options for 2025-26.

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Other teams would love to get their hands on Naz and the Minnesota Timberwolves would love to deal Randle. Neither is expected to happen until the offseason at the earliest. But Tim Connelly likes to move in silence, so a surprise move is never out of the question.

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