The 2025 NBA free agency negotiating window opens on Monday, and Detroit Pistons fans are interested in seeing which of their pending free agents will and won't leave the Motor City. The Pistons' backcourt is their top position at risk of being shaken up, as Tim Hardaway Jr., Malik Beasley, and Dennis Schroder are all slated to hit the open market.
With none of the trio guaranteed to re-sign in Detroit, the Pistons have — unsurprisingly — been linked to various veteran guards who'll also be available in the coming days. Interestingly enough, signing one of those names just became a lot more realistic following the latest NBA free agency news.
Pistons' Odds of Signing Nickeil Alexander-Walker Skyrocket Before NBA Free Agency
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is one upcoming unrestricted free agent who's been mentioned as a potential Pistons target for months. Although luring the two-way guard to town was never going to be guaranteed, the Pistons have a better shot of doing so now based on how the Minnesota Timberwolves' offseason is unfolding.
On Friday, NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the Timberwolves are expected to re-sign Naz Reid to a five-year, $125 million contract. With all signs pointing to Minnesota likely trying to extend Julius Randle to a multi-year deal, too, the team clearly isn't prioritizing an Alexander-Walker re-signing, and the depleting funds only make a departure more likely.
Although the Pistons won't have the most cap space this summer, they still have around $19 million to play with on top of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. Either could be enough to lure the 26-year-old guard who most recently played on a two-year, $9 million contract.
Alexander-Walker has experience playing both guard roles, making him the perfect replacement target if any of the Pistons' backcourt contributors leave town. He's made 381 career appearances (68 starts) since being drafted 17th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019, and has gone on to average 8.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and .414/.360/.743 shooting splits in the last six seasons.
With five starts in 37 postseason games also under his belt, Alexander-Walker is the perfect seasoned guard to help the Pistons reach their next level. His skills at both ends of the floor would be an asset to head coach J.B. Bickerstaff's lineup, and he'd provide Detroit's backcourt with some consistently reliable defense it lacked at times last season.
The NBA free agency landscape is about to get busy in the coming days, meaning it won't be long until Pistons fans know if Alexander-Walker is en route to the Motor City.