NBA Free Agency certainly won’t be a free-for-all. Not now, and likely not anytime soon. The Collective Bargaining Agreement has enforced strict roster-building guidelines, all but eliminating most teams from signing big-name free agents to exorbitant contracts.

Only a few teams this offseason will have significant money to spend, namely the Brooklyn Nets and Detroit Pistons. However, numerous teams will be armed with exceptions, such as the $14.1 non-tax midlevel and the $5.1 biannual exception. The Chicago Bulls are fortunate enough to have both at their disposal.

Thus, armed with the non-tax midlevel exception, the Bulls can lure a high-impact player. Forwards and defensive-minded bigs will surely be two of Chicago’s top priorities. It’s well known that the front office is keen on adding a two-way big in the NBA Draft. The Bulls have notably met with South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles and Georgetown’s Thomas Sorber, two of the most impactful collegiate defenders.

However, those two players are projected to suit up at power forward and center, respectively, in the NBA. Chicago is in need of a quality perimeter defender, with no one player on the roster capable of adequately fulfilling that role. An argument could be made for Ayo Dosunmu or Dalen Terry, yet both have been negative on the defensive end for more years than they’ve been positive.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker is an ever-intriguing free agent for the Bulls

Therefore, free agency may be the Bulls’ best bet. And, in a numbered free agent class, not many versatile, defensive-minded wings exist. Dorian Finney-Smith and Quentin Grimes are options, yet the former has a player option and the latter is a restricted free agent. Nonetheless, the previously mentioned wings are no more valuable than perhaps the most underrated wing on the market—Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ wing is coming off a standout, 23-point, six-assist, two-steal, five-of-eight three-point performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. Alexander-Walker is now averaging 15.0 points, and he’s made 12 triples in four contests against the Thunder.

Alexander-Walker’s impressive offensive performances have come while spending the most time matched up with the league’s Most Valuable Player, who also happens to be his cousin, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Wolves’ shooting guard has held Gilgeous-Alexander to 3-of-8 shooting and three turnovers. This comes after pestering Luka Doncic in round one and Jimmy Butler in round two. The aforementioned All-Star duo combined to shoot 27.2 percent against Alexander-Walker.

The 6-foot-5 wing is especially quick, savvy, and relentless on the defensive end. His versatility is imposing as he’s capable of defending up to three positions. He can defend point guards for 94 feet and hound the best shooting guards and small forwards in the halfcourt to no end. The steals and blocks won’t always show up for Alexander-Walker, but the game tape tells a different story.

After trading Alex Caruso last offseason, the Bulls are without a pesky, versatile perimeter defender. Alexander-Walker would fill that need. And unlike many of the top free agents, Alexander-Walker is more than likely to entertain offers from various suitors.

Alexander-Walker fills the Bulls’ need for a perimeter defensive ace

The Timberwolves are 30th in salary cap space in 2024-25 and are slated to be $93 million over the salary cap next season. The Wolves are in a precarious situation, especially with arguably higher priorities, Julius Randle and Naz Reid, potentially testing the free agent waters. Both players have player options.

Amid Minnesota’s loss to Oklahoma City in game four of the Western Conference Finals, ESPN’s salary cap specialist Bobby Marks posted, “[Alexander-Walker] likely will get priced out” when responding to a fan’s question asking, “Wolves gonna be able to afford [Alexander-Walker].”

With nearly 100 percent of salary cap space tied up to five players, not even counting Randle and Reid, the Wolves must prepare for Alexander-Walker’s departure. Minnesota, perhaps already prepared for it a season ago, after drafting Rob Dillingham and a similar archetype, Terrence Shannon Jr., in the first round of last year’s draft.

After earning only $9 million over the past two seasons, Alexander-Walker is up for a significant raise. He’s improved vastly over the course of his career, evolving from a high-volume, low-efficiency scorer to an uber-efficient, 3-and-D guard. Aside from a raise in salary, the 26-year-old is likely eyeing a larger role.

Chicago can provide Alexander-Walker with both. Using the entire non-tax midlevel exception of the 6-foot-5 wing wouldn’t be imprudent by any means, especially after fielding a relatively deep roster a season ago. Furthermore, Alexander-Walker would immediately start on the wing between Matas Buzelis and Coby White. For the first time in his career, he could see 30-plus minutes per game.