Just days after their Western Conference Finals exit against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Minnesota Timberwolves face a pivotal offseason with tough decisions looming. One of the most significant choices involves unrestricted free agent Nickeil Alexander-Walker, cousin of NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whose future with the team remains uncertain.
According to Bovada, as of Saturday, the Golden State Warriors are among the top contenders to sign Alexander-Walker, with odds of +425, trailing only the Los Angeles Lakers (+235) and Brooklyn Nets (+290). While the Timberwolves would prefer to retain their core players, including Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and Julius Randle, their tight salary-cap situation could push Alexander-Walker toward a new destination—potentially San Francisco.
The Warriors, fresh off a “gentleman’s sweep” loss to the Timberwolves in the second round of the NBA playoffs—a series where Stephen Curry was limited to just 13 minutes—are looking to bolster their roster to stay competitive. Adding a versatile player like Alexander-Walker could be a strategic move to deepen their wing rotation and maintain their championship aspirations.
A 2019 first-round pick (17th overall) out of Virginia Tech, Alexander-Walker began his NBA journey with the New Orleans Pelicans before stints with the Utah Jazz and, most recently, the Minnesota Timberwolves. In Minneapolis, he established himself as a reliable two-way reserve, playing all 82 games in each of the past two seasons. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 25.3 minutes per game, shooting 43.8% from the field and an impressive 38.1% from three-point range.
Alexander-Walker’s playoff performance further highlighted his value, particularly in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Thunder, where he erupted for 23 points and six assists. His ability to step up in critical moments makes him an attractive target for a Warriors team seeking a proven bench scorer and defensive contributor.
However, financial hurdles complicate the Warriors’ pursuit. Alexander-Walker is projected to command a contract near the full mid-level exception, roughly $14.2 million per season. With Golden State’s limited cap space, signing him would likely require clearing significant salary, a challenge that could shape their offseason strategy.
Securing Alexander-Walker would provide the Warriors with much-needed wing depth and a dynamic scoring option off the bench, mirroring the role he thrived in with Minnesota. As both teams navigate their respective roster challenges, the Warriors’ interest in Alexander-Walker signals their intent to rebound from a disappointing postseason and make a bold push for contention.