Pelica Debrief
Fansided

Takeaways as New Orleans Pelicans core praised by NBA GMs in new survey

By Willie Lutz

NOMADISON, NJ - AUGUST 11: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans poses for a portrait during the 2019 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 11, 2019 at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
NOMADISON, NJ - AUGUST 11: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans poses for a portrait during the 2019 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 11, 2019 at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SAN ANTONIO, TX – OCTOBER 13: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans handles the ball against the San Antonio Spurs during a pre-season game on October 13, 2019 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photos by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – OCTOBER 13: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans handles the ball against the San Antonio Spurs during a pre-season game on October 13, 2019 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photos by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the steal of the 2019 NBA Draft

Starting to really make a name for himself before his first real game of professional basketball, Nickeil Alexander-Walker received a lot of love from front office personnel around the league as a part of the NBA GM Survey.

Slipping to the 17th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, 32% of respondents called Alexander-Walker the steal of the 2019 NBA Draft.

Brandon Clark of the Memphis Grizzlies was second, finishing with 21% of the vote, with Gogo Bitzale of the Indiana Pacers receiving 11% of votes and finishing third. Bol Bol of the Denver Nuggets and Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat each received 7% of votes and tied for fourth.

Maybe it was because of his elite karaoke performance of “A Thousand Miles” by Vanessa Carlton.

He’s been the standout of the preseason after making one of the biggest splashes in the league when he started tearing it up in Las Vegas during Summer League action.

Alexander-Walker finished third in summer play scoring and fifth in assists, averaging 24.3 points and 6 assists during his four games, turning heads on the offensive end on the floor. Perhaps that’s where his reign began among NBA front offices.

Continuing his role through four preseason games, Alexander-Walker has continued the positive play, acting as the focal point of the New Orleans Pelicans’ second unit. If he’s as solid as executives seem to think, it could be quite the draft steal for the Pelicans.

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