Nickeil Alexander-Walker has found a new home in the ATL.
The Atlanta Hawks acquired the Canadian guard from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a sign-and-trade agreement, the team announced Sunday.
Alexander-Walker's new deal with Atlanta is a reported four-year, $62 million contract, per ESPN's Shams Charania.
In exchange for Alexander-Walker, the Timberwolves received a 2027 second-round pick (via Cleveland) and cash considerations.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Nickeil to our program,” said Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh in a statement. “He brings a blend of defensive intensity, shooting and a competitive spirit that instantly elevates our team. He’s also a great fit for our locker room, and we’re looking forward to the many ways he will impact winning in Atlanta.”
The departure from Minnesota was largely expected after the team re-signed Julius Randle and Naz Reid to eat up what little salary space it had available. The T-Wolves didn't leave empty-handed, however, as Alexander-Walker's move to the Hawks is a sign-and-trade deal, per Charania, as Atlanta will send Minnesota a 2027 second-round pick (via Cleveland) and cash to acquire the Toronto native.
Meanwhile, Alexander-Walker's new deal reportedly includes a player option and trade kicker.
"NAW" earns his first big NBA payday after building a reputation as a reliable two-way presence over the last couple of seasons. The 26-year-old hasn't missed a regular-season game since the 2022-23 season as he's helped the Timberwolves make back-to-back trips to the Western Conference Finals.
He averaged 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists on 38.1 per cent shooting from beyond the arc this past season.
Alexander-Walker has also represented Canada nationally as a member of the senior men's team, even making four appearances for the red-and-white at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
All of which was apparently enough to impress Hawks star guard Trae Young, who reportedly was very vocal in recruiting Alexander-Walker to Atlanta and was heavily involved in the process, per NBA insider Chris Haynes.
