The Hawks have landed one of the top 3-and-D guards on the market, agreeing to a four-year, $62 million deal with free agent Nickeil Alexander-Walker, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The deal will be completed via sign-and-trade with the Timberwolves, using the $25 million trade exception Atlanta created in last summer’s Dejounte Murray deal, per cap expert Yossi Gozlan. In return, Minnesota will receive cash considerations and a 2027 second-round pick via Cleveland.
Alexander-Walker’s contract includes a player option and a trade kicker, giving him added control over the back end of the deal.
By going the sign-and-trade route, Atlanta preserves its full non-taxpayer mid-level exception for potential future moves. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, generate a trade exception worth half of Alexander-Walker’s first-year salary.
The Hawks had been linked to Alexander-Walker throughout the early stages of free agency, especially after the Timberwolves committed to bringing back Naz Reid and reportedly reached a deal with Julius Randle. According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Hawks star Trae Young played a key role in recruiting Alexander-Walker to Atlanta.
The 25-year-old guard is coming off a breakout campaign, appearing in all 82 regular season games for Minnesota and averaging 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 38.1 percent from three. He also made 10 starts and played key minutes throughout the Timberwolves’ deep playoff run, including a standout 23-point, 6-assist performance against the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
Alexander-Walker is expected to take on a sixth-man role in Atlanta, backing up Dyson Daniels at shooting guard while offering defensive versatility and floor spacing. His arrival continues the Hawks’ reshaping around Young and Jalen Johnson following the recent acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis.
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