NBA players are constantly moving from team to team in the modern NBA, and very often, we now see players leave one team to join their biggest rival. Most recently, Marcus Smart decided to sign with the LA Lakers, just two years removed from being regarded as the 'heart and soul' of the Boston Celtics, who happen to be the Lakers' biggest all-time rival.
Outside of Smart, other names that come to mind are Rajon Rondo, who spent nine years in Boston and won a Championship with the Celtics, but joined the Lakers four years later. Another player who did this was Dillon Brooks, as he left Memphis to play for their division rival, the Houston Rockets.
So, what if I were to tell you that someone did the same thing to the Pelicans this summer? Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Technically, New Orleans originally did NAW a disservice by trading him to Portland just 2 and half years after drafting him 17th overall. However, his decision to sign with the Hawks should rub Pelicans fans the wrong way, after how much damage Atlanta did to New Orleans this offseason.
The Hawks have fleeced the Pelicans all offseason
Now, it's not necessarily Alexander-Walker's fault as he just was looking for the biggest bag he could get during free agency, and Atlanta was able to offer him it. That being said, the Hawks hurt the Pels' future and their fans twice this summer.
First, they stole at the time Pelicans General Manager Bryson Graham, who had been credited as a driving force in New Orleans' drafting both Trey Murphy and Herb Jones during the 2021 NBA draft. Graham spent 14 years in the Pelicans front office and was an essential part in drafting and building the current Pelicans core. So, when Atlanta signed him, New Orleans front office lost a tremendous asset.
Following this move, the Hawks then proceed to steal the Pelicans' first-round pick swap between New Orleans and Milwaukee in 2026, as well as pick No. 23 for pick No. 13, allowing the Pels to draft Derik Queen. This trade has been highly scrutinized, as many people believe that the 2026 first-round pick could end up in the lottery due to the Bucks and Pelicans' current roster constructions.
For Atlanta to follow these two moves up with signing NAW was just one final knock punch by the Hawks front office to the Pelicans.
Although I doubt Alexander-Walker thought about the Pelicans when he decided to sign with the Hawks, it still stings. With the number of moves these teams have made recently that have some connection to one another, it's evident that a rivalry between the two bird mascot teams is brewing. NAW's decision to sign with the Hawks is one that Pelicans fans should take note of, as despite both teams not being in the same conference or division, a rivalry is on the horizon.