Los Angeles Lakers Are The Favorites To Land A Key Two-Way Shooting Guard
Los Angeles Lakers Are The Favorites To Land A Key Two-Way Shooting Guard originally appeared on Fadeaway World.
The Los Angeles Lakers are entering a critical off-season, and any wrong move can have major implications for their next title pursuit. While their cap flexibility is somewhat limited, the Lakers are in the running to land a talented two-way swingman that could further bolster their backcourt.
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According to Bovada Sportsbook, the Lakers are the better favorites for shooting guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker if he leaves the Minnesota Timberwolves this summer. At +235, they hold a steady lead over other top contenders, such as the Brooklyn Nets (+290), Golden State Warriors (+425), Miami Heat (+525), and the Toronto Raptors (+900).
After trading for Luka Doncic in February and rescinding the trade for Mark Williams, the Lakers don't have much cap space to work with, but they still have a non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($14.1 million), which they can use to sign free agents.
Alexander-Walker made just $4.3 million in the final year of his contract, so he's someone who fits their price range if they can negotiate a new deal worth roughly $10-$12 million. While he's no star, having another defensive-minded body on the perimeter will surely help to neutralize the defensive shortcomings of Luka Doncic.
In 82 games for the Timberwolves, Nickeil averaged 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game on 43.8% shooting. In the playoffs, he serves as their leading man off the bench, with averages of 8.9 points, 2.3 assists, and 1.8 rebounds. In Game 4, he even led the team in scoring with 23 points off the bench in just over 29 minutes.
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Nobody knows for certain if Alexander-Walker plans to leave the Timberwolves, but the franchise is expected to make some changes this summer. If they can't pull off their dreams of pairing Edwards with Kevin Durant, they are sure to make some tweaks to the supporting cast, and it's uncertain how Nickeil fits in.
With the Lakers, he could thrive in JJ Redick's system and enhance his game alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic. As a proper 3-and-D player in the backcourt, he could help the Lakers close games and maintain a championship-level defense.
He could also allow the Lakers to play small, using him, Luka, and Reaves along with Rui Hachimura and LeBron James. While he's just one of many potential solutions this summer, this could be a way the Lakers could improve without breaking up their core.
Despite some doubts about the LeBron, Luka, and Reaves trio, Rob Pelinka still believes in the group, and that means we should expect some smaller moves to adjust the supporting cast instead. The question is, how far will the Timberwolves go to try and re-sign their guy?
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If he's available, the Lakers will make a respectable offer, but it may not be enough to outbid the Timberwolves or other teams who are sure to pursue his services. In the end, only time will tell how it all plays out, but the Lakers are going to consider all options this summer as they work to improve the roster by any means necessary.
With LeBron James in his final years, the time to win is now, and the Lakers will not just stand by and waste an opportunity to get better. For the right price, Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a reasonable acquisition for them, and he's someone who could help in one of their greatest areas of need.
Related: NBA Executive Makes Bold Claim Regarding Bronny James' Role With The Lakers Next Season
This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
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He only logged 24 minutes and played just four minutes of a close fourth quarter. The Pacers' outside shooting pulled the seven-footer outside of the paint. The Thunder had to concede and play mostly small-ball in the final moments. Questions arose about Hartenstein's playability against the Pacers. Very different circumstances, but he struggled against mostly the same roster on the New York Knicks. Funny how sports can turn out, as he was more effective than Holmgren in Game 1. The Thunder will need Holmgren to play better. They were killed on the boards by a 56-39 disadvantage. That allowed the Pacers to overcome the shot-attempt difference slowly. The 23-year-old has to play better on both ends or risk being unplayable. Lu Dort: A Besides Gilgeous-Alexander, Dort was the other positive for the Thunder. His Game 1 will go in vain. The same way Caruso's Game 1 against the Nuggets did with 20 points. 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Caruso finished with 11 points on 3-of-8 shooting, six rebounds and two assists. He shot 1-of-4 from 3 and went 4-of-5 on free throws. He had three steals and two blocks. The Thunder's league-best defense showed up through three quarters. They caused havoc. The Pacers were so deep in their own minds because of their ability to create turnovers that they always checked over the shoulder before an elementary entry pass. Then the fourth frame happened. The Thunder have to shake off the shock. They'll have three days to marinate on this stunner before Game 2. This is what the NBA Finals are about. As the only NBA champion on the roster, Caruso offered some much-needed perspective that his teammates need to hear, which simultaneously probably angered OKC fans. Highlights:
