The Minnesota Timberwolves haven't made a ton of roster moves or brought in a host of new fresh faces this summer. But they did see one major departure when Nickeil Alexander-Walker opted to sign with the Atlanta Hawks, which is a move that only looms larger for them as time passes.
NAW had become a fan favorite in Minnesota and a key cog in Chris Finch's rotation. He proved his value in a big way from the time that he arrived in the Twin Cities until his departure, and his contributions were big in helping this team reach the heights they saw in the last two years.
Alexander-Walker arrived in the Twin Cities as a three-and-D guy who still had a lot to prove. He hadn't really been able to stick anywhere at that point in his career, and the jury was still out on whether he could be a real needle-moving producer at the NBA level.
Man, did he flip that narrative quickly. NAW was basically just a throw-in piece from the three-team deal in February 2023 with the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz that netted the Wolves Mike Conley. He turned out to be among the most valuable players included in that trade for any team.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker's talent will be missed
Statistically, Alexander-Walker was extremely consistent with his production between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. He played in all 82 contests both years, and shot efficiently while holding up as a strong point-of-attack defender and playing a very smart brand of basketball at both ends of the court.
When Nickeil finished sixth in Sixth Man of the Year voting this past season, it was due in part to the incredible mentality he brought to the floor for the Timberwolves each time out. This is a guy who loves to win more than anything, and he'll sacrifice everything he needs to for the good of the team.
Every time NAW stepped in front of a microphone for an interview in Minnesota, he was always incredibly down to earth and insightful with his answers. He was the perfect example of an underdog who was seen as an afterthought to other teams, but couldn't have been more valuable to the Wolves.
That encapsulates why he was so beloved by this fanbase. And it points to just how much Alexander-Walker's former coaches and teammates are going to miss having him around. The Wolves still have a great team for next season, but it won't be quite the same without number nine.