Nickeil Alexander-Walker Leaving Timberwolves for Hawks Sparks Fan Reaction originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been a busy team since last week, as the team and its players have made some significant moves. Several of these focused on securing the team’s future as a Western Conference contender by retaining key contributors.
Julius Randle and Naz Reid were two players mentioned as the offseason got underway. Within the past several days, the team reportedly re-signed both, keeping some of All-Star Anthony Edwards’ supporting cast.
With the 2025 NBA Draft, they added several international centers, including Joan Beringer from France in the first round and Rocco Zikarsky from Australia in the second. While these players may not contribute immediately, they could have a significant impact in the future.
Meanwhile, the various additions haven’t come without a few subtractions from the team’s 2025 roster.
On Monday, ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Minnesota guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker would leave the team as a free agent in a sign-and-trade deal with the Atlanta Hawks. Charania said his sources indicated that it’s a four-year deal worth $62 million.
In exchange, the Timberwolves are receiving Atlanta’s 2027 second-round pick from the Cleveland Cavaliers, along with cash.
Alexander-Walker is coming off a career-best season with the Timberwolves, participating in all 82 games and averaging 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.
He’s been part of the league for six years, first being drafted at No. 17 by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019-20. Additionally, he played several seasons for the Utah Jazz before being traded to the Timberwolves in the 2022-23 season, along with guard Mike Conley.
During the recent playoffs, Alexander-Walker achieved team history, as he became the first player off the bench to have multiple 20-point games.
On Reddit, Timberwolves fans in a team subreddit thread expressed their thoughts about seeing Alexander-Walker leave for another team.
“NAW got himself PAID! Sad to see him go, but he’ll always have a fan in me,” one Reddit commenter wrote.
“Nice! We got a second round pick and cash. We facilitated a sign and trade!” one fan commented.
“So cool to see him turn his career around here. Sad to see him go, but happy he’s going to get his money,” another Reddit comment said.
“Love this for NAW. Wolves are too deep to pay him this unfortunately, will always remain a wolves favorite,” another fan commented.
The 6-foot-5 Alexander-Walker is joining an Atlanta Hawks squad that seems to be making a strong push this offseason to contend in the Eastern Conference. The team already features All-Star guard Trae Young and last year’s No. 1 pick, power forward Zaccharie Risacher.
Last week, the Hawks acquired Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis in a three-team trade. And along with the Alexander-Walker news on Monday, Atlanta signed free agent guard Luke Kennard to a one-year deal worth $1 million, per Shams Charania.
As of Monday, Nickeil Alexander-Walker is the second player from the Timberwolves’ 2024-25 roster to leave. Additional news arrived that backup big man Luka Garza was signing a deal with the Boston Celtics.
Related: Timberwolves Fans React to Luka Garza Joining the Boston Celtics
Related: Timberwolves Fans React to Major Julius Randle News
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.