There are “rumbles in circulation” that the Magic are a team to watch as a suitor for free agent guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker this offseason, reports Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Substack link).
Alexander-Walker, who was traded from Utah to Minnesota at the 2023 deadline as part of a bigger three-team deal, has emerged as a reliable rotation player for the Timberwolves over the past two seasons.
Since the start of the 2023/24 campaign, the 26-year-old has averaged 8.7 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.6 rebounds in 24.4 minutes per game, with a .438/.386/.787 shooting line. He has also served as one of Minnesota’s top point-of-attack defenders and has been extremely durable, having not missed a game in over two years.
While the Timberwolves would certainly like to have Alexander-Walker back on the roster next season, they may face a financial squeeze after operating above the second tax apron this year, which could open the door for rival suitors to make a run at him.
The six-year veteran is coming off a $4.3MM salary and has never earned more than $5MM in a season, but appears to be in line for a significant raise. Several teams with the non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($14.1MM) figure to have interest, and Jake Fischer reported in February that some executives believe Alexander-Walker could earn up to $20MM per year on his next contract.
Whether the Magic will be in position to make an aggressive offer to Alexander-Walker remains to be seen. They have roughly $175MM in guaranteed money committed to 11 players for next season and the luxury tax line projects to come in just under $188MM, so if they want to make a play for the Wolves guard while staying out of the tax, they’d probably have to shed some salary.
Orlando has long been viewed as a team likely to seek backcourt help this summer, though much of that speculation has centered around the Magic targeting more of an offensive-minded player to complement defensive ace Jalen Suggs. While Alexander-Walker doesn’t really fit that bill, he has been a more reliable three-point shooter than Suggs in recent years.
Didn’t they just do this last summer… link to nba.com
My thoughts exactly. They’ve clearly identified a certain player type as a need. After KCP’s season guess they’re trying again lol
According to rumors
Lakers are favorite to land Alexander Walker
According to multiple sports outlet – bovada etc
Lakers are favorite to land him
Lakers have $190 million payroll – above tax line
Lakers can’t acquire SNT due to hard cap?
How many more guards do Magic need?
Is Howard that bad too? They never play him.
Not buying it. I smell an agent.
Alexander-Walker’s agent, Wasserman, is probably behind this “rumor”. It’s Wassermann’s M.O, they did the same thing with Klay Thompson last spring when they “leaked” that Klay was offered $30M by the Magic, and the Bay Area media fell for it.
The Magic face a cash crunch with Banchero coming up for a max contract. Nickeil is too much like Caldwell-Pope, signed at $25M/yr last summer, for the Magic to spend another $20M on a FA.
Yes, the need outside shooting, but most think it would have to come via trade for one of their existing contracts.
It doesn’t make sense for Orlando; what Orlando really needs is a bonafide point guard and perhaps a decent shot-blocker center. Orlando missed the opportunity last year when DeAaron Fox was in the market. Can you imagine a trio of Fox, Wagner, and Banchero in the eastern division? I do not want to say a championship team, but definitely, it would be a very fun team to watch.
I dont like this, Nickeil isnt really what the Magic needs imo but I am not a gm so I know nothing
I’m guessing this move, if they could make it, would be accompanied by trying to move KCP. But you’re probably right about the source of this “info”
I am a huge fan of the Orlando Magic, but I think it was a big mistake to re-sign Jalen Suggs for that amount of money after his knee surgery. We all know about Jalen’s aggressive game and his intense defense but after a knee surgery perhaps it won’t be the same player than before. Remember Derrick Rose?
ORL.
PG that can get more than 5 assists a game? Nope. Hard Pass.
It is mandated that they need to be 6 players deep in combo guards who aren’t facilitators.