The Atlanta Hawks are in the midst of their most successful offseason of the Trae Young era, and their recent signing of Nickeil Alexander-Walker has pushed them into the realm of being an Eastern Conference contender. General Manager Onsi Saleh signed the defensive stalwart to a four-year deal, and his versatility plus great defense with length are the most crucial benefits of the acquisition.
At 26 years old, he is arriving in Atlanta as he nears his prime, and he has a chance to shine in a bigger role with the Hawks' 2025-26 roster. He will likely find himself in a substantial role leading the second unit. Walker was excellent in the Timberwolves' rotation, filling both roles as a starter and spark plug when needed.
Having both options is a key reason Atlanta is expected to experience a resurgence over the next few seasons. Their upgrade in depth ranks among the best in the league, featuring Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kennard, and newly-drafted rookie Asa Newell. Walker’s playoff experience against top Western Conference teams will make him valuable in the second unit, and more importantly, help ensure long-term stability in Atlanta.
Alexander-Walker’s impact will go way beyond 2025
Atlanta hasn’t had this much talent on the roster in over a decade, and it’s evident they’re going all out as the Eastern Conference will be wide open next year. Their backcourt led the league in assists and steals. By signing Walker to a long-term deal, Saleh is capitalizing on their young talent by surrounding Young and Daniels with a youthful piece that complements both of them.
Walker can play shooting guard alongside Young if Daniels is out of rotation or resting on the bench. He proved to be a reliable three-point shooter after finishing last season with a shooting percentage of 38.1%. He can also run the point guard alongside Dyson as a reliable orchestrator. Walker averages 13.8 points, four rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 68 NBA games as a starter.
His impact is hard to come by, and his signing could be one of the catalysts for a championship run in the future. The roster has improved with several athletic wings and long guards surrounding Young, who is regarded as the best passer in the world at age 26.
Only time will tell how the new Hawks perform together, but all of the signings were in winning situations before joining, so their investments should pay off. Walker is on a team-friendly $15.5 million per year contract, contributing to the Hawks' total payroll of $156 million. If he performs as Saleh expects, the contract alone makes the acquisition a significant win.