From Canada, Nickeil Alexander-Walker may not have had the career that his cousin, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, has had, but his two years plus in Minnesota were solid.
Arriving with Mike Conley as part of a three-team trade in February of 2023, Alexander-Walker, in Minnesota, endeared himself to the franchise by embracing a "3-and-D" identity. He provided crucial perimeter defense and improved shooting efficiency, appearing in every regular-season game (82) for two consecutive seasons (2023–24 and 2024–25) and becoming a vital piece of the team's top-ranked defense and its run to the Western Conference Finals. His consistent performance eventually outpriced Minnesota's salary-cap flexibility, leading to his departure in July 2025 via a sign-and-trade to the Atlanta Hawks after he re-established his value as an elite role player.
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