Orlando Magic Could Target Minnesota Timberwolves Guard
The offseason has already begun for the Minnesota Timberwolves. After their Game 5 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, it immediately became time for Chris Finch to turn the page. This summer is a critical one with multiple key storylines to watch.
Maybe most importantly is just how different things will look as Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez take over as owners. That process now has a late-June timeline, and will be quickly followed by the NBA Draft (June 25th) and free agency (June 30th).
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Of course Tim Connelly, should he return as team president, also has to make multiple roster decisions.
Insider suggests Nickeil Alexander-Walker a fit for Orlando Magic
Last week local insider Darren 'Doogie' Wolfson outlined a blueprint for a trio of Minnesota Timberwolves free agents. Of the Naz Reid, Julius Randle, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker group, it was NAW that he sees as certainly gone. NBA Insider Marc Stein tied the Timberwolves guard to the Orlando Magic.
'Next season's full midlevel exception will be worth more than three times what Alexander-Walker made last season at $14.1 million … with rumbles already in circulation that Orlando is a team to watch as a potential suitor.'
Marc Stein – The Stein Line
That full midlevel exception is the same value that Wolfson alluded to him having done everything in his power to earn. NAW spent time with both New Orleans and Utah before truly blossoming in Minnesota.
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Orlando finished with a 41-41 record this past season. They made the playoffs as the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference. The Magic won just a single game against the defending champion Boston Celtics in the first round. NAW represents another starting option to pair with Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs.
Alexander-Walker was a bench player for Chris Finch's Minnesota Timberwolves, but he has become one of the premier perimeter defenders across the NBA. The 6'5″ shooting guard averaged 9.4 points per game this season. His 43.8% shooting was bested by only the 43.9% he shot a year ago.
Obviously it was his cousin Shai Gilgeous-Alexander that drew all of the major headlines in the Western Conference Finals. Alexader-Walker's 23 point outing in Game 4 was quite a statement though. It was a postseason career-best across 37 total games.
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Related: Local Insider Scoops Timberwolves Plan for Multiple Key Contributors This Offseason
This was the final season of a two-year, $9 million contract NAW signed with the Timberwolves. He should make well over that amount annually, and the total figure should be a handsome sum for the 26-year-old.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are largely expected to stay out of the bidding process for Alexander-Walker. They'll need to replace his minutes with another capable bench player. They are also looking for a creator that can operate as a solid point guard alongside Anthony Edwards.
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