The Atlanta Hawks look absolutely genius for giving Nickeil Alexander-Walker the opportunity to be an offensive creator this season. Before this season, Alexander-Walker was never allowed to be a playmaker after entering the league as a defensive-minded late first round pick.
Alexander-Walker was an effective scorer during his two years at Virginia Tech who found success both on and off the ball. While scouting departments focused on his exceptional catch-and-shoot three point ability, the swingman quietly made massive strides as a slasher in his second collegiate season.
He bumped his two point percentage by two points while doubling his attempts inside the arc as a sophomore. Most importantly, he increase his free throw rate from 22.8% to 35.9%. Alexander-Walker was getting to the paint, creating easy looks for himself, and getting fouled. Those traits are the hallmarks of the dangerous slasher Alexander-Walker became this season.
Thrusting Alexander-Walker into his elevated role was a brilliant move
Onsi Saleh has been on fire in his short tenure as the lead decision-maker in Atlanta, and this move is perhaps his magnum opus. The decision to sign Alexander-Walker to a steal of a deal – four years, $60 million – was easy. The difficult decision was understanding NAW isn't just a spot up threat, but that he is capable backup point guard who eliminated the need for Atlanta to splurge in this department.
Many (myself included) thought the Hawks would struggle without a backup point guard this season. This was not the case; while the “point guard-by-committee” model didn’t quite pan out, Alexander-Walker’s individual brilliance as a creator has helped the Hawks have some semblance of a consistent halfcourt offense.
It would not have killed the Hawks to sign a backup point guard to a minimum contract. But even a minimum deal would have repercussions for the Hawks, who sit just $13 million below the first apron.
Remember this $13 million figure: this is the maximum net amount the Hawks can receive in a trade this season. If the Hawks want Giannis, Anthony Davis, or Jaren Jackson Jr., they are going to have to cobble together a package of upwards of $35 million. Even the marginal amount saved by avoiding a minimum contract, just over $2 million, gives the Hawks the flexibility required to be a serious player in these trade discussions.
Saleh made a controversial decision to trust NAW and leave his final NBA roster spot empty, passing on the opportunity to employ a steady backup point guard. This move has proved to be yet another masterclass from Saleh, who should be in consideration for Executive of the Year this season.