Latest news with #NickeilAlexanderWalker
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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? Advertisement 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.
Washington Post
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Thunder aim to secure conference finals victory over the Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14, first in the Western Conference) Oklahoma City; Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Thunder -8.5; over/under is 220.5 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: Thunder lead series 3-1 BOTTOM LINE: The Oklahoma City Thunder look to clinch the Western Conference finals over the Minnesota Timberwolves in game five. The Thunder defeated the Timberwolves 128-126 in the last meeting on Tuesday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 40 points, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Timberwolves with 23.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 40, Thunder defense forcing 23 turnovers has OKC one win from NBA Finals
It was the two words in all caps and red ink at the top of the scouting report for Minnesota going into the Western Conference Finals: Limit turnovers. The Timberwolves had to break even in the possession game to upset the Thunder in this series. They failed at that in the biggest moment of their season Monday night — Minnesota turned the ball over 23 times and allowed 19 Oklahoma City offensive rebounds in Game 4. The result was the Thunder getting up 11 more shots in the game. Advertisement That was the difference in what an epic, high-level playoff game, one of the best of the postseason. Well, turnovers and a career playoff high 40 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Oklahoma City hung on at the end for a 128-126 Game 4 win that puts them up 3-1 in the series. The Thunder can close the series out Wednesday night at home. This is a gut-punch loss for the Timberwolves because they played well enough to win: • Minnesota created better looks most of the night. • Minnesota shot better, including 18-of-41 (43.9%) from 3. • Minnesota grabbed 19 offensive rebounds themselves. • Minnesota got 64 points from their bench behind Nickeil Alexander-Walker scoring 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting, Donte DiVincenzo scoring 21, including five 3-pointers, and 11 points from Naz Reid. Advertisement 'Definitely sucks being that close…' Alexander-Walker said postgame. 'Everything is out there, there are no secrets — they know how to beat us and we know how to beat them.' What hurt the Thunder was a slow start and rough night from Anthony Edwards, who scored 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting. Which was better than Julius Randle, who struggled again with five points on 1-of-7 shooting (but nine rebounds). Not only did SGA step up for the Thunder, but so did their next stars: Jalen Williams had 34 points, including six 3-pointers, while Chet Holmgren had 21 points, seven rebounds and three blocks, including a critical one late. After coming out flat and getting blown out in Game 3, the Thunder came out Monday with increased defensive ball pressure and activity — looking like themselves again — except it didn't work. For example, the Thunder defense forced the ball to Jaden McDaniels, but he responded with 10 early points. Minnesota shot 63.2% in the first quarter but trailed 37-30 after one because of their seven turnovers in the frame. That was the theme of the night. Advertisement So was Oklahoma City taking a small lead (never more than 11) and then Minnesota walking them down. It was a physical, intense, high-level game of basketball played well by both teams. The last time the Thunder got one of those small leads they held on, and now they have a commanding lead in the series.
CBC
22-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Shai-Gilgeous Alexander's dad on how SGA's NBA dream began and his rivalry with cousin Nickeil
Shai-Gilgeous Alexander's dad, Vaughan, on how his son's path to the NBA started with his hopes that basketball would lead Shai to a university scholarship and his son's rivalry with and affection for his cousin, Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard, Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
CBC
21-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Toronto-born cousins facing off at NBA's conference finals
Social Sharing Toronto basketball fans have plenty of reasons to tune into the NBA's conference finals — even though the Raptors season is long-over. Toronto-born Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the top-ranked Oklahoma City Thunder are taking on his cousin, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals. Gilgeous-Alexander's father, Vaughn Alexander told CBC Toronto Wednesday that seeing his son and nephew compete against each other in the NBA feels "surreal." "Any man wins, I win," said Alexander. "One of them is going to play in an NBA final." He coached Gilgeous-Alexander and Alexander-Walker when they were kids. The two cousins, who were born just two months apart, have been playing sports together their whole lives, which Alexander says has helped create a competitive environment between the two. "They're going to go hard at each other, and they've been doing this all their life, but they know at the end of the day, it's all love," said Alexander. He said his son and nephew have been best friends since they were kids, and played together on the same team until separating for college when Gilgeous-Alexander started playing for the Kentucky Wildcats, and Alexander-Walker for the Virginia Tech Hokies. Gilgeous-Alexander was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2018 NBA draft, and his cousin was drafted by the Brooklyn Nets a year later. Alexander says it doesn't matter who wins the series at the end of the day, because this is a "win-win" situation for him. "It's a pretty good problem to have," he said. "I can't lose, right? I've got two kids in the Western Conference finals." "I just want both of them to play well, be healthy, and have a good series, and after that, I'll celebrate either way." When asked about how it feels to compete against his cousin, Gilgeous-Alexander said it's very special. "He's literally like my second brother. He's been through every stage in life with me," he told reporters in a post-game interview on Sunday. WATCH | The two cousins talk about growing up on the GTA, playing for Team Canada in the 2024 Olympics: Paris 2024 is a childhood dream come true for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker 10 months ago Duration 5:15 NBA stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are headed to Paris together with Team Canada. The pair sit down with CBC's Dwight Drummond to discuss how growing up in the GTA helped shape the players they are now, and their epic driveway battles. "For both of us to be where we are is special. To compete against each other is even more special. But I am trying to take his head off, for sure," said Gilgeous-Alexander. On Tuesday night, the Thunder defeated the Timberwolves 114-88 in Game 1 of the best-of-seven conference final. The two teams will face each other again for Game 2 on Thursday night.
