Night 1 of the 2025 NBA draft is in the rearview, meaning the Detroit Pistons and the other 29 teams are one step closer to this year's free agency period. Franchises can begin negotiating with this year's free-agent class on June 30 before the market officially opens at 12:01 p.m. ET on July 6.
The next few weeks will be busy for the Pistons, who have five pending unrestricted free agents they must negotiate with. None of those names are guaranteed to return despite how much Detroit fans might want them back, meaning general manager Trajan Langdon could be forced to find replacements depending on which UFAs stay and leave.
With three guards (Tim Hardaway Jr., Malik Beasley, and Dennis Schroder) potentially hitting the open market in less than two weeks, the Pistons already have an obvious first call they should make during the negotiating period.
Pistons Must Target Nickeil Alexander-Walker in Free Agency
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is one veteran guard whom the Pistons should keep an eye on this offseason.
A former 2019 first-round pick by the Brooklyn Nets, Alexander-Walker is the perfect option to replace any of Hardaway, Beasley, or Schroder if they leave. The ex-Virginia Tech product has played both guard positions throughout his six-year career, having suited up for the Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans, and, most recently, the Minnesota Timberwolves.
That's without mentioning how Alexander-Walker has also made 37 playoff appearances (5 starts), giving him the experience that a young Pistons team is looking for after returning to the postseason this spring.
In terms of what he brings to the floor, Alexander-Walker is coming off a 2024-25 regular season that saw him average 9.4 points on .438/.381/.780 splits in 82 games with the Timberwolves. The Toronto, ON native also averaged career highs in rebounds (3.2) and assists (2.7) while playing over 25 minutes per night. His postseason performance wasn't much to write home about; however, the lackluster showing could make him more affordable this summer.
Alexander-Walker carried an annual average value of $4.5 million on his last contract, so he'll likely make around the same on his next. The Pistons have about $19 million in cap space, as well as the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, giving them tools to compete against other teams who'll also be eyeing the veteran backcourt presence.
At the end of the day, Alexander-Walker is the perfect two-way guard who'd make Detroit's backcourt better on both sides of the ball. If the Pistons truly want to take the next step towards contendership status, the pending 26-year-old UFA must be one of their first calls next week.