ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Naz Reid intends to sign a massive five-year, $125 million deal (including a player option) with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Reid is one of the NBA's best stories, going from being undrafted in 2019 to now signing a nine-figure contract.
For the Portland Trail Blazers and other teams around the league with the non-taxpayer mid-level exception (NTMLE), this is especially important as it makes Minnesota much less likely to retain Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is now more likely to be available
ESPN's Bobby Marks noted on the Timberwolves' offseason outlook that keeping Reid, Alexander-Walker, and Julius Randle would push them over $250 million into the payroll and into the second apron.
Now that Reid is off the table, it essentially comes down to keeping Randle or NAW. However, that's largely out of the Timberwolves' hands at this point (barring a trade to clear up space), as Randle has a $30.9 million player option.
As of now, all signs point to Randle returning to Minnesota, whether that means picking up his player option or opting out of his deal to sign a long-term deal. Eamon Cassels of Dunking With Wolves recently predicted that Randle would take the latter route, signing a three-year $110 million deal.
Blazers should make Alexander-Walker a priority in free agency
Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz named Alexander-Walker as a top free agent target for the Blazers, along with Bruce Brown and former Blazer Nic Batum.
Batum is expected to opt into his player option with the Los Angeles Clippers, even going on record as saying that this upcoming season will likely be his last. But we couldn't agree more on the other two free agent targets, Alexander-Walker and Brown.
"Now, with Jrue Holiday likely locked in as the starting point guard and with three rotation-caliber centers on the roster, look for the Portland Trail Blazers to target versatile wings in free agency. Stealing Alexander-Walker from the Minnesota Timberwolves would make an already good defense a step closer to being great," wrote Swartz.
Last season with the Timberwolves, NAW averaged 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists on 44/38/78 shooting splits. As Swartz notes, he'd be a great fit for the Blazers' versatility and defensive-minded identity, given his 6-foot-5 frame. But what makes him an ideal addition is the fact that he'd bolster Portland's strengths while addressing their biggest weakness as a team that desperately needs more floor spacing.
Portland landing free agents, in general, is an uphill battle relative to larger market teams. There should be a lot of competition for Alexander-Walker in this shallow free agency class. But Portland should at least attempt to add NAW with their $14.1 million exception, as he'd be an ideal addition.