Led by 22-year-old Paolo Banchero and 23-year-old Franz Wagner, the Orlando Magic are wondering just how they’ll be the latest upstart to make a deep run in the NBA Playoffs. The elephant in the room is their lack of a consistent third option on offense. In fact, with Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland has recently been rumored to be a trade target for the Floridian franchise.
With being said, the moves that the Magic make in the margins could be the difference-makers as well.
Magic May Poach Timberwolves Free Agent Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Orlando’s point guard group wasn’t the only one that disappointed in 2024-25. Actually, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was arguably the most underwhelming player on the roster. After prying him away from the Denver Nuggets last summer, Caldwell-Pope was expected to be above-average 3-and-D wing who could provide championship experience.
The 32-year-old did provide those intangibles. He also helped the Magic be a top-tier defense, ranking first in opponents points per game (105.5) and second in defensive rating (109.6). However, he shot just 34.2 percent from 3, his lowest mark since 2015-16.
Given Caldwell-Pope’s subpar performance, it’s no wonder that they’re being linked to Minnesota Timberwolves free agent Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
“Next season’s full midlevel exception will be worth more than three times what Nickeil Alexander-Walker made last season at $14.1 million… with rumbles already in circulation that Orlando is a team to watch as a potential suitor,” reports The Stein Line insider Marc Stein.
Y-E-S To N-A-W
Alexander-Walker is primarily regarded as an upper echelon perimeter defender. As that’s where the Magic hang their hat, he’s already a culture fit. At 26 years old, he also fits the timeline set by their franchise cornerstones.
So, even if he wasn’t a respectable 3-point threat, Orlando might still have some level of interest in his services.
Asked Nickeil Alexander-Walker what the value in today’s NBA is of being able to stay attached to your man when defending at the point of attack.
And here some clips, not all at the point of attack, of Alexander-Walker defending against the Lakers in February. pic.twitter.com/xsKOJtgAyF
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) April 17, 2025
However, Alexander-Walker has made at least 38 percent of his 3s in each of the past three seasons. He’s a capable on-ball creator as well, tallying five or more assists in 25 games over the past two seasons. He isn’t quite ready to be a full-time point guard, perhaps. Nonetheless, he earned plenty of those reps in Minnesota.
This means that Alexander-Walker wouldn’t just be a potential starting two-guard in Orlando; he can play alongside Caldwell-Pope as well.
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