The Minnesota Timberwolves knew entering the offseason that they had three key free agents. Many believed it would be difficult to retain all three, and that they may have to decide to let at least one move on. We now know that one of those free agents is assured of being back in 2025-26. One of the game’s top reserves, Naz Reid, has agreed to a five-year, $125 million deal. With the large deal handed out to Reid, it now seems less likely that Nickeil Alexander-Walker will be retained and may join a new team as an unrestricted free agent.
Reid Re-Signing May Price Wolves Out Of Another Key Free Agent
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Is An Unrestricted Free Agent
A six-year veteran, Alexander-Walker has spent the previous two full seasons with Minnesota. He was acquired by the team in a three-team deal in February of 2023. Prior to the Timberwolves, the 26-year-old played for the New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz.
Last season while appearing in all 82 games, Alexander-Walker posted averages of 9.4 points, 3,2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 25.3 minutes. His rebounding and assists averages were both career-highs. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard shot 43.8% from the field, 38.1% from beyond the arc, and 78.0% from the free-throw line.
In the 2023 offseason, Alexander-Walker and Minnesota agreed on a two-year contract worth $9 million. His market value has since gone up substantially in the time after he signed that deal. With apron and luxury tax penalties having become such an issue for teams as they construct their rosters, the Timberwolves may indeed decide they can’t afford their top defender off the bench.
Minnesota also somewhat planned for this possibility in the 2024 NBA Draft. They acquired eighth overall pick Rob Dillingham and selected Terrence Shannon Jr. 27th overall. Both are backcourt players that could be set up for larger roles next season.
Julius Randle Decision Also Looms For Franchise
As mentioned in the intro, the Timberwolves had three key free agents this offseason. The one that hasn’t been mentioned until now is power forward Julius Randle. The 30-year-old has a player option worth just shy of $31 million for 2025-26. He is coming off his first year with the team, as he was acquired in the deal that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks.
It may behoove Randle to pick up the option if Minnesota isn’t willing to give him a multi-year deal to his liking. That is because other than the Brooklyn Nets, no team has the available money to give him a nice-sized deal. Brooklyn doesn’t seem like a fit for the 11-year veteran (although a sign-and-trade to another team is a potential option).
According to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, the Timberwolves are around $39 million below the second apron after Reid’s deal. That is if the team declines Luka Garza’s $2.4 million team option. That would dip down to $8 million if Randle exercises his player option, which simply wouldn’t be enough to retain Alexander-Walker on a market-level deal.
Photo credit: © Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
The post Reid Re-Signing May Price Wolves Out Of Another Key Free Agent appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.