While most of the Lakers’ attention is on adding capable centers and wings this offseason, there are several guards they could add to their backcourt. One potential favorite comes from a familiar playoff foe who could be in line for a pay raise.
Lakers Favored to Land Rival’s Standout Shooting Guard
LAL Betting Favorites for Nickeil Alexander-Walker
According to odds posted by the betting site Bovada, the Lakers are the favorites to land free agent guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (+235) if he doesn’t re-sign with the Timberwolves.
The cousin of this year’s MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, NAW showcased his 3&D skill set for Minnesota. Playing all 82 games (10 starts), he put up 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game on .438/.381/.780 splits. The postseason was a rollercoaster for him scoring-wise, with some efficient, high-level performances mixed with underwhelming duds. Case in point, Alexander-Walker dropped a playoff career-high 23 points (9/15 FG, 5/8 3PT, 4/7 FT) in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals before going scoreless (0/8 FG, 0/4 3PT, 0/4 FT) in the Wolves’ season-ending Game 5 loss. All in all, he rounded out his fourth career playoff series with averages of 8.3 points and 2.3 rebounds on .389/.349/.882 splits.
Lakers beat writer Dan Woike recently wrote that going after “bargain deals” could be a solid strategy this offseason, citing Alexander-Walker’s impact on the Timberwolves and how that could land him a well-deserved payday. As one executive told Woike, “Find the man before he becomes the man.”
Reports that the Wolves may not be able to keep NAW, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid have some believing the sixth-year guard could be the odd one out, which has opened the door for potential suitors around the league.
Alexander-Walker said he hasn’t thought about free agency at all, but added that spending time with his “circle” will only help his decision: “Because now I can go into it with a clear mind, with some peace of mind, and have a sitdown with my agents and really figure out what’s best.”
Alexander-Walker and the Lakers: Potential Fit and Cost
Nickeil Alexander-Walker would boost a Lakers second unit that was bereft of scoring throughout the season, particularly in the playoffs. The team’s bench was second-to-last in points per game (26.2) in the regular season, a number that only dwindled in the postseason (11 PPG, dead last in the league). Alexander-Walker struggled against the Lakers but found some light deeper in the playoffs. If the purple and gold are looking for proven performers to enhance their title hopes, NAW could be their guy.
The only problem, as Woike alluded to, is finances. The Lakers’ ability to sign Alexander-Walker (or any solid free agent, for that matter) comes down to what their current players do this summer. LeBron James is expected to pick up his $53 million player option, but the team would likely need him and/or Dorian Finney-Smith to take a pay cut to access the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. That would give LA $14.1 million to spend on one quality addition or between multiple players. If the Lakers manage to trade for a starting center, that would free them up to pursue help at other positions of need.
There’s no intel on how much money NAW can get on his next deal, but the Lakers should put themselves in a position to sign him—maybe not to $14 million a year, but to a worthy contract for a valuable rotation piece.
© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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