The Nickeil Alexander-Walker (NAW) Thread

[Neeva]

Very intrigued about NAW. Looks like he seems to have improved over the past year on both ends of the floor

Maybe the Conley influence has helped NAW? I was hoping the wolves would get another young PG to groom under Conley as well this deadline.

[mg]

I don't know what your minute situation will be but NAW is definitely a rotation guard in this league. Really like him defensively, he has good length, and he can pass a little too. His 3 pt shot can be a bit streaky either he's hot for a few games and then gets cold for a few games and then Coach Hardy would end up benching him as Utah had way too many guards. I was pretty surprised Ainge traded him but the Jazz are obviously much more interested in collecting draft picks than rotation guys at this point. He will be a RFA this summer. He's also the cousin of SGA. I agree that Conley has had a real positive impact on this kid (as well as Sexton, Kessler, Agbaji).

[Baseline81]

If this is the case, maybe he will get a bit of run before the end of the season.

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[BlacJacMac]

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?s=12&t=xIkE9GF7X3GNfjx0rYvwOg

[Klomp]

He gives me some Dinwiddie vibes

[karch34]

I liked him coming out as I saw him as SGA lite. I thought he was more of a combo guard, though can’t say I really followed him in NBA. I like the idea of a young PG. he’s RFA so I resign him but let the market dictate it which more than likely is no one offers anything significant like Vando situation

[wolves_89]

If I was describing what I'd want in a guy to play next to Ant in the backcourt, I'd start with a good defender with enough size to successfully switch onto multiple positions. Second would be the ability to hit 3pt shots. Third is possessing enough ballhandling to bring it up and initiate the offense. A bonus would be a little bit of playmaking.

From what I've seen and read it sounds like NAW has a chance to fit most of that description.

[Klomp]

If I was describing what I'd want in a guy to play next to Ant in the backcourt, I'd start with a good defender with enough size to successfully switch onto multiple positions. Second would be the ability to hit 3pt shots. Third is possessing enough ballhandling to bring it up and initiate the offense. A bonus would be a little bit of playmaking.

From what I've seen and read it sounds like NAW has a chance to fit most of that description.

That's essentially what I argued early on in the trade announcement thread

Honestly, NAW might be the plan at "PG" next to Ant. Defense. Shooting potential. Not ball dominant.

[minimus]

Let's start with a minimus special, his summer league highlights from his rookie year.

Thank you guys!

[minimus]

Watch on YouTube

That was my favourite moment about NAW. I was a bit surprised when I have heard multiple guys saying that NAW is now defensive minded guard. If so I can see how NAW might fit naturally as defensive minded version of DLo next to Ant. and we definitely could use his shooting ability.

Watch on YouTube

[shrink]

If he is a good defender, he could take Rivers' spot

I'd love it if Finch gave him the opportunity, but I'm afraid that barring injury Finch is going to stick with his guys (Rivers).

I agree, especially with only 24 games left in the season, in a tightly contested playoff race.

I am hoping NAW impresses in practice, and justifies a tiny deal as a Rivers replacement next summer. I think Rivers has done an important job this year without complaint, getting limited minutes, defensive assignments and mentoring Ant. But with Conley here, it might make Rivers more expendable, and let us keep the young NAW, cash in on his upside, as he steps into River’s role on the court next season. At a minimum, we get a looksie this season, before we’d decide to offer him a contract.

[wolves_89]

If he is a good defender, he could take Rivers' spot

I'd love it if Finch gave him the opportunity, but I'm afraid that barring injury Finch is going to stick with his guys (Rivers).

I agree, especially with only 24 games left in the season, in a tightly contested playoff race.

I am hoping NAW impresses in practice, and justifies a tiny deal as a Rivers replacement next summer. I think Rivers has done an important job this year without complaint, getting limited minutes, defensive assignments and mentoring Ant. But with Conley here, it might make Rivers more expendable, and let us keep the young NAW, cash in on his upside, as he steps into River’s role on the court next season. At a minimum, we get a looksie this season, before we’d decide to offer him a contract.

Going through some of the advanced metrics makes me want NAW in the rotation even more. Comparing NAW to Rivers:

NAW: DEPM 1.9, EPM 0.7, DRPM -2.16, RPM -1.76, DBPM 1.0, BPM 0.5, DRAPTOR 3.4, RAPTOR 2.9
Rivers: DEPM -0.2, EPM -3.2, DRPM -3.23, RPM -4.73, DBPM 0.6, BPM -2.3, DRAPTOR -2.2, RAPTOR -3.9

Statistical improvement if NAW replaced Rivers in the rotation:

NAW-Rivers: DEPM 2.1, EPM 3.9, DRPM 1.07, RPM 2.97, DBPM 0.4, BPM 2.8, DRAPTOR 5.6, RAPTOR 6.8

[minimus]

I'd love it if Finch gave him the opportunity, but I'm afraid that barring injury Finch is going to stick with his guys (Rivers).

I agree, especially with only 24 games left in the season, in a tightly contested playoff race.

I am hoping NAW impresses in practice, and justifies a tiny deal as a Rivers replacement next summer. I think Rivers has done an important job this year without complaint, getting limited minutes, defensive assignments and mentoring Ant. But with Conley here, it might make Rivers more expendable, and let us keep the young NAW, cash in on his upside, as he steps into River’s role on the court next season. At a minimum, we get a looksie this season, before we’d decide to offer him a contract.

Going through some of the advanced metrics makes me want NAW in the rotation even more. Comparing NAW to Rivers:

NAW: DEPM 1.9, EPM 0.7, DRPM -2.16, RPM -1.76, DBPM 1.0, BPM 0.5, DRAPTOR 3.4, RAPTOR 2.9
Rivers: DEPM -0.2, EPM -3.2, DRPM -3.23, RPM -4.73, DBPM 0.6, BPM -2.3, DRAPTOR -2.2, RAPTOR -3.9

Statistical improvement if NAW replaced Rivers in the rotation:

NAW-Rivers: DEPM 2.1, EPM 3.9, DRPM 1.07, RPM 2.97, DBPM 0.4, BPM 2.8, DRAPTOR 5.6, RAPTOR 6.8

Well.. I dont know but maybe Rivers numbers are not impressive since he was asked to play a lot against starters, while NAW has been mainly a backup?

[NebWolvesFan]

It's obvious that behind Clarkson, Beasley and Sexton - all scorers - NAW's only path to the floor was as a defensive specialist and he took on that challenge.

I really hope Finch gives him some run. He could be the tall, low usage, defensive minded PG we need next to Ant

[Devilzsidewalk]

I'm pretty interested to see what this guy can do. Haven't watched him at all, but the #s are pretty. 40% from 3, and some of the defensive metrics around the World Wide Web reflect positively as well. Like 28th best defensive EPM in the NBA. Jaden is 29th.

So I'm pretty curious to see what kinda defensive chops he really has. If he's just average defensively and can hit like 38% of this 3s, that's a pretty solid wing off the bench.

[fattymcgee]

Nickeil was a solid shooter in college. He hit .392 as a freshman on 4.5 attempts and .374 as a sophomore on 4.6 attempts.
His predraft profile said he was a good shooter with a high quick release.

Not sure if he'll get many minutes this year, but that could be a good thing to keep his contract demands low.

[minimus]

I cant stop thinking about these two things. First is missed clutch shot against UTH:

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NAW should be a solid option in such situation, because he can both hit open 3 and play defense

Second thing is this old video:

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NAW on paper can execute such rear mirror view pressing with Gobert playing drop. It should be another option to add to MIN defensive arsenal. Right now only MCD can play such type of defense. Having two on-ball defenders is a huge bonus. Because if NAW can share some defensive load with MCD it will preserve Jaden from foul trouble when he is guarding shifty small guards, playing free safety.

Watch on YouTube

P.S. I also hate our undersized lineups with two guards DLo-Rivers or last season with DLo-JMac. I dont know if NAW realises this but he can be critical contributor as rebounder and defender at PG/SG position.

[minimus]

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NAW is leading C&S 3pt shooters in terms of volume. Really rooting for him

[minimus]

It would be unfair to put NAW against Kyrie after only two days, but I hope we can see some clutch defense from MCD-Ant-NAW trio this year.

[Klomp]

There's a smoothness to his offensive repertoire that's really promising. Also worth noting his ambidexterity with the basketball. That's encouraging for young prospects.

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