BREAKING: Timberwolves squeeze opens the door — Lakers steal hidden gem Nickeil Alexander-Walker!
Minnesota's financial restrictions are Los Angeles' gain.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is the perfect player to resolve the Los Angeles Lakers' bench woes.
The Los Angeles Lakers have one of the best four-man lineups in the NBA. The quartet of Luka Doncic, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves ranked in the 85th percentile in net rating during the 2024-25 regular season, outscoring opponents by 7.4 points per 100 possessions.
Unfortunately, the quality of the starting lineup was offset by a putrid second unit that ranked dead last in points per 100 possessions—a flaw Nickeil Alexander-Walker could help address.
Alexander-Walker, 26, will be an unrestricted free agent during the 2025 offseason. He's certain to have suitors after emerging as one of the Minnesota Timberwolves' most important reserves during the team's back-to-back trips to the Western Conference Finals.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Alexander-Walker is expected to receive offers in the range of the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception at roughly $14.1 million per season—and could thus be priced out of Minnesota.
"Various executives around the league who spoke with HoopsHype are projecting Alexander-Walker, 26, to garner the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception or close to it in free agency. Therefore, there’s a consistent belief from executives around the league that Minnesota won’t be able to ultimately keep the trio of [Julius] Randle, [Naz] Reid, and Alexander-Walker unless they get creative."
As the Timberwolves search for ways to keep Julius Randle and Naz Reid, they appear to be inadvertently handing the Lakers a golden opportunity to sign their new sixth man.
Lakers will have golden opportunity to sign Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Alexander-Walker has emerged as one of the better two-way guards that the NBA has to offer. He's thrived in his role in Minnesota, providing the offense with timely contributions and efficient shooting, and the defense with invaluable versatility.
For a Lakers team that will hope to maintain its defensive quality while improving its offensive consistency, Alexander-Walker seems to check every box.
Alexander-Walker averaged 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.7 three-point field goals made in just 25.5 minutes per game in 2024-25. Those numbers translated to 13.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.9 steals, and 2.4 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
Furthermore, Alexander-Walker shot 38.4 percent on three-point field goals and buried a certifiably elite 42.5 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes—a skill Los Angeles is in dire need of acquiring.
In terms of the nature of his scoring, Alexander-Walker has the ability to convert at all three levels. He buried 47.4 percent of his corner threes, shot 48.1 percent on drives, and converted 44.5 percent of his attempts between 15 and 24 feet.
Considering Alexander-Walker previously played with Lakers head coach JJ Redick, it's fair to believe they could harness their familiarity to build the perfect role within Los Angeles' system.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is the two-way player the Lakers need
In addition to scoring efficiently on offense, Alexander-Walker is a well-rounded defensive player. He competes away from the ball, fighting over screens and utilizing his agility and length to close the distance and contest shots from every angle of the court.
On the ball, Alexander-Walker has shown the willingness to take on tough matchups at multiple positions—a truth the Lakers learned first-hand.
Alexander-Walker held Luka Doncic to 28.6 percent shooting during the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Two rounds later, 2024-25 MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shot 38.1 percent when he was defended by the Timberwolves standout.
For perspective: Doncic shot 46.4 against all other Minnesota defenders, while Gilgeous-Alexander converted 47.4 percent of his shots against Timberwolves players other than Alexander-Walker.
With Alexander-Walker in the fold, the Lakers could formally round their second unit into form. His 6'5" height and 6'9.5" wingspan would allow Redick to plug him into any number of roles, both as a complement to the starters and a driving force behind an ideally resurgent second unit.
Los Angeles' top priority is understandably acquiring a starting-caliber center, but it can't afford to overlook an affordable and vital offseason target like Alexander-Walker.