Nickeil Alexander-Walker Drawing Interest From The Pistons originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is one of the league’s most underrated players, but he is quickly drawing interest around the league. He is getting closer to an exit, especially with Naz Reid signing a long-term extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Advertisement
Since Julius Randle is set to sign an extension, Alexander-Walker is set for an exit. Randle can opt for a pay cut for the Timberwolves to re-sign Alexander-Walker, but that looks very unlikely.
Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
The Detroit Pistons are one of the teams who are intrigued with Alexander-Walker. He will be available as an unrestricted free agent, so the Timberwolves cannot block a move unless Alexander-Walker wants to stay.
Playing for the Pistons is enticing for Alexander-Walker because he could be part of a backcourt with Cade Cunningham. Alexander-Walker is a good fit due to his defense, three-point shooting, and underrated ability to generate offense.
Advertisement
Related: Tim Connelly Announces He Wants To Retain Reid, Alexander-Walker, and Randle
Alexander-Walker’s Fit With The Pistons
As a 3-and-D player, Alexander-Walker fits in with the Pistons and head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. He loves players like him, as Cunningham can dish out the right passes for threes.
Malik Beasley capitalized on this, as he became one of the league’s most prolific three-point shooters in the 2024-25 season. Alexander-Walker can improve as a shooter with the Pistons, and they could be surprise contenders in the Eastern Conference.
At the same time, Alexander-Walker might not get the minutes he wants playing for the Pistons. They have Cunningham and Beasley, but they also have Jaden Ivey, who is set to return in the 2025-26 season.
Advertisement
The fit is natural, but Alexander-Walker will be a secondary backup. He still fits like a glove, but it might not be as good as his role for the Timberwolves or other teams.
Alexander-Walker Returning Will Help The Timberwolves
If Alexander-Walker re-signs with the Timberwolves, it would be a display of loyalty and belief in the project. Anthony Edwards is the team’s superstar, and he is continuing on his path to greatness.
Alexander-Walker could be part of that as the primary backup and a backcourt partner. Alexander-Walker has all the tools to become a long-term player for the Timberwolves as they continue to contend for a championship.
The Oklahoma City Thunder might have beaten them in the Western Conference Finals, but Alexander-Walker found he could stand out in that kind of setting. He was often competing hard against his cousin Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, helping the Timberwolves stay alive.
Advertisement
Alexander-Walker staying is the most optimal thing to do, but if another offer is on the table from the Pistons or even the Orlando Magic, he might consider leaving.
Related: Timberwolves Poised for Big Move After Naz Reid Extension
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.