The Portland Trail Blazers could benefit from the Minnesota Timberwolves' complicated roster situation following a second consecutive Western Conference exit. The Trail Blazers have a non-tax midlevel exception, which is set to be $14.1 million. They could use it to bring back a former player (who was on the team for about a day), Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
ESPN's Bobby Marks breaks down the Timberwolves' offseason outlook, noting that Julius Randle, Alexander-Walker, and Naz Reid could become free agents (Randle and Reid have player options). Marks mentioned that "a return to Minnesota seems likely" for Randle and Reid. Outside of a sign-and-trade, only the Brooklyn Nets can offer more than $14.1 million in free agency, and neither player makes sense for their current rebuilding roster.
But keeping all three players pushes the Timberwolves over $250 million in payroll and back into the second apron. Minnesota's cap situation, the new CBA, and Alexander-Walker's impact throughout the playoffs mean the Canadian guard will likely get priced out. That's where Portland comes in.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker would be a perfect fit in Portland
NAW should have a strong market as one of the top guards in an underwhelming free agency class. But Portland should at least try to land Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's cousin (Did you know that? It's worth mentioning just in case you missed the 100 times they brought it up during the playoffs).
Ideally, the Trail Blazers land a free agent who is young enough to fit their rebuilding timeline but skilled enough to make an immediate impact for their lofty playoff aspirations next season; that is challenging to find with just a non-tax midlevel exception. But NAW checks those boxes at 26 years old and would also be an incredible roster fit.
The Trail Blazers need more shooting, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker was 38.1 percent from beyond the arc this season. The 6-foot-5 guard is also versatile enough to serve as a glue guy who fills particular needs depending on the rotation. Those are the types of players general manager Joe Cronin has been targeting, making it ironic that he even traded NAW away in the first place.
He would be extremely valuable to give the Trail Blazers more flexibility going forward because they still have many moving parts on their unfinished roster. If Portland does move on from Anfernee Simons this summer, they will need to go out and find replacements. Although Alexander-Walker isn't the same level as a playmaker, he could even spell Scoot Henderson, relying more on Deni Avdija to initiate the offense during those stretches.
Portland's newfound strength lies in the versatility of their wings, Avdija and Toumani Camara. And adding Alexander-Walker into the mix would give them more versatility in the backcourt, strengthening that overall identity for their roster.