Fresh off a disappointing “gentleman’s sweep” at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the NBA playoffs, the Golden State Warriors are eyeing a bold move to bolster their roster. With Stephen Curry limited to just 13 minutes in that series, the Warriors are determined to rebound and remain contenders. Their target? Minnesota Timberwolves’ unrestricted free agent Nickeil Alexander-Walker, a versatile two-way guard and cousin of NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
As of Saturday, Bovada lists the Warriors as strong contenders to sign Alexander-Walker with odds of +425, trailing only the Los Angeles Lakers (+235) and Brooklyn Nets (+290). The Timberwolves, constrained by a tight salary cap, face a tough decision on whether to re-sign the 2019 first-round pick (17th overall) out of Virginia Tech, especially as they aim to keep their core of Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and Julius Randle intact.
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Alexander-Walker, who began his career with the New Orleans Pelicans before stints with the Utah Jazz and Minnesota, has emerged as a key reserve for the Timberwolves. Over the past two seasons, he played all 82 games, averaging 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 25.3 minutes per game during the 2024-25 season. His shooting efficiency—43.8% from the field and 38.1% from three-point range—combined with his defensive versatility, makes him an attractive fit for Golden State’s system. His playoff performance, highlighted by a 23-point, 6-assist outburst in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, showcased his potential as a clutch performer.
For the Warriors, signing Alexander-Walker would address their need for wing depth and add a proven scorer off the bench, a role he excelled in with Minnesota. However, financial hurdles loom large. Alexander-Walker is expected to command a near-full mid-level exception, approximately $14.2 million per season. With limited cap space, the Warriors would likely need to clear significant salary to secure his services, a challenge that could shape their offseason strategy.
As the Warriors look to recover from their playoff disappointment, landing Alexander-Walker could be a savvy step toward keeping their championship window open.