Nickeil Alexander-Walker Rumors

But the recruitment process of free agents like Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard—I know you personally reached out to both of those guys. Did you have a relationship with either of them? And if so—or if not—what was that recruitment conversation or process like for you as a leader of the Hawks? Trae Young: Yeah, no—I mean, I talked to both of them on the phone. I was able to talk to them. I’ve known them for years. I mean, being in this game, you connect with guys throughout the years, so I’ve known both of those guys for years. But yeah, I reached out to both of them and we were able to connect. Obviously, they both had options, but I wanted them on my team, and I know they would make our team better. So we were able to talk and make it happen. I'm happy that they’re on my team—we made it work.

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This offseason, the Timberwolves reached a deal to bring back Naz Reid and Randle before free agency began on June 30 but elected not to sign reserve Alexander-Walker. A new contract for the guard would have put the Timberwolves over the second apron once again. They are currently $5.9 million below the threshold. "What the apron rules do to teams is force you to prioritize what players to retain and also put a greater emphasis on your former draft picks to play a greater role," an Eastern Conference executive told ESPN.

ESPN

Shams Charania: Hawks star Trae Young reached out to Kennard and Nickeil Alexander-Walker this evening to help recruit them to the franchise, sources said. Two big wing gets for the Hawks.

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Yossi Gozlan: The Atlanta Hawks preserve their $14.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception by sign and trading for Nickeil Alexander-Walker. They are $18.5 million below the luxury tax, so they could use the full amount. Alexander-Walker goes into the Dejounte Murray trade exception.

bsky.app

Jon Krawczynski: Timberwolves are getting a future second round pick and cash considerations for NAW in the sign and trade, sources say

x.com

Chris Haynes: Hawks star Trae Young was very vocal and active in recruiting Nickeil Alexander-Walker to Atlanta, sources tell me. He was heavily involved in the process to lure one of the top wing free agents on the market.

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Shams Charania: Atlanta is sending a 2027 second-round pick via Cleveland and cash to Minnesota to acquire Nickeil Alexander-Walker via sign-and-trade for four years and $62 million, sources said.

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Shams Charania: Free agent Nickeil Alexander-Walker has agreed to a four-year, $62 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks, plus a player option and trade kicker, sources tell ESPN. CAA Co-Heads of Basketball Aaron Mintz/Austin Brown and Steven Heumann reached the contract with the Hawks tonight.

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Jake Fischer: Atlanta and Minnesota are in active conversations on a sign-and-trade for Nickeil Alexander-Walker, sources say.

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The Hawks and Nuggets, sources say, also have interest in Kennard. Atlanta landing both Kennard and Nickeil Alexander-Walker would mark noted boosts to its wing rotation.

marcstein.substack.com

Kelly Iko: The Rockets are working quickly to secure meetings with Dorian Finney-Smith, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard at the outset of free agency, team sources tell @TheAthletic.

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The Timberwolves do have a few young guards and wings, including Terrence Shannon Jr., Jaylen Clark and Rob Dillingham, who the team believes are ready to step in and take Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s minutes should he move on. The Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons and Miami Heat are among a number of teams to watch in the hunt for Alexander-Walker.

New York Times

The Detroit Pistons are gauging the trade market on forward Simone Fontecchio, who’s on an expiring $8.3 million deal, league sources told HoopsHype. With Malik Beasley’s gambling investigation, the Sacramento Kings expected to pursue Dennis Schroeder in free agency strongly, the possibility Detroit loses Tim Hardaway Jr., and a Fontecchio salary dump trade happens, the Pistons could create $24 million in space to pursue Nickeil Alexander-Walker and other free agents.

HoopsHype

The Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, and Toronto Raptors, along with other teams, are expected to pursue Nickeil Alexander-Walker in free agency, league sources told HoopsHype.

HoopsHype