New Orleans Pelicans’ Player Grades: Nickeil Alexander-Walker

In this series, we’ll grade each New Orleans Pelicans’ player on the season they had before the hiatus. Today’s grade book features Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

No player had a more up and down season for the New Orleans Pelicans than Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who went from pre-season hero to G-League disappointment in a matter of months.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker is just 21-years-old, so it is far too early to call him a bust or to judge his short NBA career.

Few rookies would have gotten off the New Orleans Pelicans’ bench, as they are loaded with young talent and had a deep team at Alexander-Walker’s position.

But after blowing up in the Summer League and pre-season, it looked as though Nickeil Alexander-Walker was going to make an impact right away for the New Orleans Pelicans.

That did not end up being the case, as NAW struggled with his shot, didn’t do much on defense and ultimately couldn’t earn a rotation spot.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker came to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of a trade that also landed Jaxson Hayes and Marcos Louzada Silva in exchange for De’Andre Hunter, the 57th overall pick, Solomon Hill and a future second-round draft pick.

The trade looked like a big win for the New Orleans Pelicans, who got two young, intriguing players to go along with Zion Williamson and the rest of their talented young core.

Even though Hunter has been very good for Atlanta, this trade could still work out for the New Orleans Pelicans, as both Hayes and Alexander-Walker figure to be big parts of the Pelicans’ future.

Both are signed through 2022-23, so barring a trade, Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are here to stay.

NAW did some things right early in the season for the Pelicans, but also has some areas where he needs to improve.

Let’s take a look at his positives, negatives and ultimately his grade for the shortened season.