Hawks Predicted to 'Steal' Playmaking 6-Foot-5 Guard

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dave Holcomb | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 10:43 PM ET

The Atlanta Hawks will return both of their starting guards for the 2025-26 season. But they could still make a significant move in the backcourt during NBA free agency.

That's what Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus predicted Thursday when he projected the landing spots for the top 30 NBA free agents this summer.

Pincus predicted the Hawks to add Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

"Alexander-Walker may be the most attainable, still young (almost 27), unrestricted free-agent 3-and-D wing on the market," wrote Pincus.

"Minnesota has a hefty payroll before deciding on potential free agents Julius Randle and Naz Reid. It may not have a long-term solution at point guard."

"Competing executives may want to test the Timberwolves' appetite for another hefty deal, gambling that Minnesota trusts Terrence Shannon Jr. (24) to handle that responsibility at a cheaper price," continued Pincus.

"Also, because he's unrestricted, Alexander-Walker has a say in where he goes, though few teams have the kind of money he might have gotten in a looser offseason."

Pincus concluded writing the Hawks will "steal" the Timberwolves guard "away with a full" non-taxpayer mid-level exception offer.

Timberwolves’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker expected to have multiple suitors in free agencyhttps://t.co/NuvjPlPJOC
— Basketball Forever (@kobehighlight24) May 27, 2025

Alexander-Walker played the past two and a half seasons for the Timberwolves. Since the start of the 2023-24 campaign, he's started 30 games and not missed a regular season contest.

In 2024-25, the guard averaged 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.

His playing time decreased during Minnesota's postseason run this spring. But he still averaged 8.3 points, 1.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per contest.

The Brooklyn Nets drafted Alexander-Walker at No. 17 overall in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft. But the guard never played for the Nets.

Alexander-Walker made his regular season debut with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019-20. He's also played for the Utah Jazz in his six-year NBA career.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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