Nickeil Alexander-Walker knows all about flexibility—both in his basketball career and personal life. At 26, the Minnesota Timberwolves guard has learned to adapt to almost any situation, thanks to his unique journey in the NBA and growing up playing alongside his cousin, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is now an MVP contender for the Oklahoma City Thunder. The cousins constantly switched positions during their games, which shaped Nickeil’s versatility on the court.

This adaptability became even more important as Nickeil bounced between teams early in his NBA career. Drafted 17th overall in 2019 by the Brooklyn Nets, he was quickly traded to the Atlanta Hawks and then immediately to the New Orleans Pelicans. Over the next few years, he moved to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Utah Jazz, and finally to the Timberwolves in February 2023.

Looking back, Nickeil sees these changes as valuable lessons. “I’ve learned that to stay on the court, you have to be flexible and find ways to contribute,” he said. This mindset has become a cornerstone of his game, helping him thrive in different roles and situations.

The Timberwolves’ recent trade of Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a first-round pick added another layer of adjustment for Nickeil. He’s been focusing on improving his efficiency—taking smarter shots, finding open spaces on the court, and contributing without always having the ball in his hands. With new teammates like DiVincenzo, who brings strong shooting and energy, Nickeil has embraced new opportunities to grow. Whether it’s hitting catch-and-shoot threes, cutting to the basket, or pushing the pace, he’s finding ways to make an impact.

Over his career so far, Nickeil has averaged 8.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. This season, those numbers have slightly increased to 8.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game—a testament to his steady progress and adaptability.

Nickeil credits much of his readiness for today’s fast-changing NBA to his early days playing with Gilgeous-Alexander. Those experiences taught him how to fill different roles on a team and stay versatile, which is crucial in a league that values players who can do it all. “In today’s NBA, you don’t want to be stuck in just one role,” he said. “I’m working every day to build myself into a player who can adapt and help my team succeed.”

As he continues this season with the Timberwolves, Nickeil is especially excited about their upcoming game against the Toronto Raptors. Playing in front of his hometown crowd is always a special moment for him—a reminder of how far he’s come and how much he’s ready to keep growing.