The Atlanta Hawks are drawing commendations for their bold decision to empower Nickeil Alexander-Walker as a primary offensive creator this season. For the first six years of his career, Alexander-Walker, known for his defensive capabilities, had limited opportunities to showcase his playmaking skills after entering the league as a late first-round pick. Although he demonstrated effective scoring during his collegiate tenure at Virginia Tech, NBA scouts primarily focused on his impressive spot-up shooting abilities. However, his second season at Virginia Tech highlighted significant growth as a slasher, marked by a notable increase in both his two-point field goal percentage and free throw rate.
In his sophomore year, Alexander-Walker’s two-point shooting mark improved by 2%, and he doubled his attempts from inside the arc. His ability to drive to the basket, create scoring opportunities, and draw fouls became evident, changing perceptions about his offensive potential.
Thrusting Alexander-Walker into this elevated role has been hailed as a masterstroke from Onsi Saleh, who has been making waves as the lead decision-maker for the Hawks. Signing Alexander-Walker to a contract valued at four years and $60 million was a straightforward choice, especially considering Atlanta was one of the few teams with available cap space. The challenge lay in recognizing that Alexander-Walker was more than just a spot-up shooter; he possesses capabilities as a backup point guard, effectively minimizing the Hawks’ need to invest heavily in that position.
Despite initial skepticism around Atlanta’s lack of a backup point guard, the team’s performance has defied expectations. While the “point guard-by-committee” strategy didn’t entirely deliver, Alexander-Walker’s individual prowess as a creator has introduced much-needed consistency to the Hawks’ halfcourt offense.
While the team could have opted to sign a backup point guard on a minimum contract, doing so would have complicated their financial flexibility. Currently, the Hawks are $13 million below the first apron—a vital figure as it limits their potential trade options this season. This amount is crucial on the trade market, especially if the Hawks are eyeing significant names such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, or Jaren Jackson Jr. The ability to save even a small amount could prove instrumental in assembling a competitive trade package, particularly in the $35 million range.
Saleh’s decision to trust in Alexander-Walker and keep the final roster spot vacant, foregoing the chance to add a conventional backup point guard, has raised eyebrows. Nevertheless, this risk is turning out to be a shrewd move, reinforcing Saleh’s reputation as a savvy executive, with growing conversations surrounding his potential consideration for Executive of the Year accolades this season. With Alexander-Walker thriving in his new role, the Hawks find themselves in an advantageous position both on the court and in future trade discussions.
