With the salary cap looming large, Wolves’ GM Tim Connelly has some tough decisions to make. One of them may be trading budding star Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
When the Minnesota Timberwolves pulled the trigger on the blockbuster trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks, it was a move that sent shockwaves through the NBA. But for Wolves fans, there was a bittersweet understanding that the trade wasn’t just about basketball—it was about the finances. Towns, a four-time All-Star, was set to cash in big over the next four seasons, and with the new collective bargaining agreement’s salary restrictions, keeping him would’ve handcuffed the Wolves’ ability to make meaningful moves down the line.
Look, the NBA moves fast. Locking yourself into a bloated roster with no flexibility is a death sentence in today’s league. Injuries happen. Rosters evolve. Trends shift. The Wolves, who finally made some noise last season, couldn’t afford to freeze in place while the rest of the league adjusted. Shedding Towns’ massive contract opened the door for them to retain key fan-favorites like Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, two players who have grown into vital pieces of the Wolves’ future. Or at least that’s what we told ourselves…
After the initial shock, Wolves Nation took a rational perspective. Losing KAT stung, no doubt, but this was a necessary move, right? Tim Connelly did what he had to do for the long-term health of the franchise, and now the door was open to keep our rising stars and build for something bigger.
But then, I started diving into the Wolves’ financials. And now? I’m worried Minnesota might ultimately lose more due to salary cap restrictions than we thought.
Both Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are up for extensions and will hit unrestricted free agency in 2025. Yes, that’s next offseason. And on further review, the room cleared up by moving Towns might not be enough to keep both of these guys around. And trust me, losing either one of them—especially Reid—would be a tough pill to swallow.
Let’s start with Naz Reid.
This guy has become the heartbeat of Minnesota. A homegrown talent who came up through the system, undrafted, and blossomed into a fan favorite. If you ask me, Naz’s importance to this team cannot be overstated. The Wolves front office knows this. Losing him, especially after parting with KAT, would be a devastating blow not only to the team’s chemistry but to the morale of the fan base.
The good news? I think the Wolves will do everything in their power to keep him. And honestly, I wouldn’t be shocked if Reid gives the team a hometown discount. I mean, fans have tattooed this guy’s name on their bodies. There’s something about that kind of loyalty that transcends the extra dollar signs another team might offer. He’s built something here, and I truly believe Naz Reid wants to be a part of it for the long haul.
And now for NAW…
When we get to Nickeil Alexander-Walker things start to get murky.
Nickeil wasn’t supposed to be a big deal when he was thrown into the trade that sent D’Angelo Russell to the Lakers and brought Mike Conley Jr. to Minnesota. But he’s been more than a throw-in—he’s a legitimate rotation player with upside. We all know his cousin, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is a bonafide superstar in OKC, and while Nickeil might not be on Shai’s level, he’s shown his own momentary flashes of brilliance. Defensively, this guy is a monster, especially when paired with Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels. His spark off the bench last season? Unbelievable.
The problem: The Wolves might not be able to afford him, no matter how much they may want to.
Alexander-Walker’s current two-year deal doesn’t give the Wolves his Bird rights, which would have allowed them to exceed the salary cap to keep him. Instead, Minnesota can only offer him 175% of his current contract, which works out to about $7.9 million a year. Considering the leaps he made last season, Alexander-Walker is almost certainly going to command more on the open market—think somewhere in the $15-20 million per year range.
The harsh reality is that unless NAW is willing to take a massive pay cut, he’s probably not going to be a Timberwolf much longer. Talk about a double gut-punch for a fan base still reeling from losing Towns.
So what’s next?
If you’re Tim Connelly, you have to start thinking long-term. Could Alexander-Walker be traded by the deadline? It’s not crazy to think that Connelly might pull the trigger on another proactive move. If Nickeil isn’t going to stay in Minnesota past this season, why not maximize his future value? Trade him for draft picks or younger, cheaper players who can grow alongside Ant and McDaniels. It’s not the ideal move for a team that wants to compete for a title this season, but it might be the best move for the future.
Look, it’s not like the Wolves can just go out and sign a free agent to replace him. They’re already cap strapped. The smarter play might be to move NAW while he can net the team something in return.
Of course, doing that mid-season could hurt the team’s chemistry. They’re already balancing the new dynamics of life post-Towns, with Julius Randle and Dante DiVincenzo trying to integrate into the system. Losing NAW would sting, no doubt about it.
The Wolves’ Championship Window
Here’s the thing: The Wolves are right there. The championship window is cracked open, and it’s hard to know how long it’ll stay that way. Edwards is ascending to superstar status, McDaniels is blossoming, and the defense—when everything clicks—can be suffocating. The last thing you want to do is blow up what could be a special season.
But, as always with the NBA, the future looms large. You don’t want to go all-in for one year and then find yourself handcuffed for the next five. Connelly has to find the balance between contending now and maintaining flexibility down the road.
Tough decisions are coming. The Wolves already made one by trading Towns. Will Alexander-Walker be the next to go? Or will Connelly find a way to keep this group intact while still planning for the long-term? Time will tell.
So Wolves fans, where do you stand? Should Connelly push all the chips in for this season, or start making moves to ensure the Wolves can contend for years to come? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.