The Nickeil Alexander-Walker (NAW) Thread

[Klomp]

Shannon and Clark are both probably a year or two from being ready, at best. Stick with NAW.

[TheZachAttack]

Don't forget Clark. If he can keep hitting 3s, he gives us a super low cost replacement for NAW.

He would be 3rd string. TSJ is much better than him at offense, and I have no idea about the defensive delta but I imagine it isn’t that great. We are thin at the PG and C, without Randle we are quasi thin at PF as well. Putting resources into NAW at the wing seems counter productive. Especially after a game like last night. NAW might win you 3 or 4 games a season, but he is just as likely to lose at least that many with 3 of 10 shooting and 1 of 7 on open 3s as well.

I'm talking about Clark taking NAW's role at a massively reduced price tag. 3&D wing.

I'm not automatically putting TSJ ahead of him until I see them both at the NBA level and in the roles they would have with the big club.

TSJ was an incredibly high usage player in college and we're seeing in the GLeague that won't be his role. It'll be interesting to see what translates and what doesn't. Can he be a complimentary scorer on a Playoff team?

TSJ is high usage but he makes extremely quick decisions. Plenty of room to play that way off the bench.

[shrink]

I was listening to today’s Hoop Collective podcast, and Tim MacMahon talked about his ESPN article about the fifteen best contracts in the NBA and included NAW. I wanted to mention here that one of the hosts said he was talking to a league front office executive, who said he thought NAW would get offered more than the non-tax payer MLE of $14.1. Brian Windhorst was surprised, because not many teams could even offer a full MLE.

[BlacJacMac]

I was listening to today’s Hoop Collective podcast, and Tim MacMahon talked about his ESPN article about the fifteen best contracts in the NBA and included NAW. I wanted to mention here that one of the hosts said he was talking to a league front office executive, who said he thought NAW would get offered more than the non-tax payer MLE of $14.1. Brian Windhorst was surprised, because not many teams could even offer a full MLE.

That's been my concern every since Caruso's deal.

[winforlose]

I was listening to today’s Hoop Collective podcast, and Tim MacMahon talked about his ESPN article about the fifteen best contracts in the NBA and included NAW. I wanted to mention here that one of the hosts said he was talking to a league front office executive, who said he thought NAW would get offered more than the non-tax payer MLE of $14.1. Brian Windhorst was surprised, because not many teams could even offer a full MLE.

The variable that we don’t know is whether NAW wants to start. If he takes a two year deal with a player option for 14 and starts he both makes his money and proves it for the next deal. The only downside for NAW is he loses his bird rights. That could make a huge impact on the teams able to take him. Therefore NAW would need a sign and trade, and that gets us something of value on the return. Especially if we are under the 2nd apron with Randle opting out. This situation could go in any number of ways. Of course if NAW gets hurt this season then it gets even more complicated.

[Klomp]

I wanted to mention here that one of the hosts said he was talking to a league front office executive, who said he thought NAW would get offered more than the non-tax payer MLE of $14.1. Brian Windhorst was surprised, because not many teams could even offer a full MLE.

I think this is the entire discussion. It is not about where his value is at anymore. I think his trade/contract value is at the full MLE as a baseline. The entire discussion going forward is about whether he can fetch more than that.

[wolves_89]

I was listening to today’s Hoop Collective podcast, and Tim MacMahon talked about his ESPN article about the fifteen best contracts in the NBA and included NAW. I wanted to mention here that one of the hosts said he was talking to a league front office executive, who said he thought NAW would get offered more than the non-tax payer MLE of $14.1. Brian Windhorst was surprised, because not many teams could even offer a full MLE.

Getting a little above the non-taxpayer MLE seems reasonably likely to me as I think that is what the Wolves will pay him if they can free up the space (Randle opts out or gets moved for less money). I also think NAW would still be a positive value asset on that type of contract due to his in demand skillset.

[BlacJacMac]

I’d hope the goal is trading him if we sign him for that.

[shrink]

I was curious what Nickeil’s month by month shooting stats were

OCT: FG 61.9%, 3P 66.7%
NOV: FG 49.0%, 3P 40.4%
DEC: FG 49.0%, 3P 42.1%
JAN: FG 29.5%, 3P 30.8%

The only bright side here is that NAW is driving this summer’s free agent contract down to something we may be able to afford.

[Neeva]

He’s been ass for months.

[winforlose]

I was curious what Nickeil’s month by month shooting stats were

OCT: FG 61.9%, 3P 66.7%
NOV: FG 49.0%, 3P 40.4%
DEC: FG 49.0%, 3P 42.1%
JAN: FG 29.5%, 3P 30.8%

The only bright side here is that NAW is driving this summer’s free agent contract down to something we may be able to afford.

Volume would be helpful in a snapshot like this.

[BlacJacMac]

I was curious what Nickeil’s month by month shooting stats were

OCT: FG 61.9%, 3P 66.7%
NOV: FG 49.0%, 3P 40.4%
DEC: FG 49.0%, 3P 42.1%
JAN: FG 29.5%, 3P 30.8%

The only bright side here is that NAW is driving this summer’s free agent contract down to something we may be able to afford.

Volume would be helpful in a snapshot like this.

For 3s, its always ~4/game. For each month of this season and for the last 2 seasons overall.

He'll never be a volume guy because he's not a movement shooter and he doesn't create shots for himself/

[winforlose]

Quoting Chris Hine’s star tribune article, link below. “ There was a moment of concern for the Wolves when guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker needed help off the floor after landing awkwardly in the fourth quarter. There seemed to be positive news that Alexander-Walker escaped serious injury after the team said he had a lower left leg contusion. Alexander-Walker was moving gingerly on his own in the locker room after the game, joking with teammates and told forward Leonard Miller he’d be OK.”

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-timberwolves-beat-atlanta-hawks/601212671

[shrink]

He’s listed as Day-to-Day so far.

Bad timing, We could really use his defense against the Suns on Wednesday, especially with Beal coming off the bench now.

[winforlose]

He’s listed as Day-to-Day so far.

Bad timing, We could really use his defense against the Suns on Wednesday, especially with Beal coming off the bench now.

DDV, Shannon, and now NAW. On the one hand that is tough to have so many players out at the same spot. On the other hand, it is in the area we have the most depth. Almost better at backup SG than any other position.

[BlacJacMac]

CBS Sports: "Alexander-Walker appears to be good to go for Wednesday to handle his usual role off the bench on the first leg of Minnesota's back-to-back."

[wolves_89]

This team is having an incredible run for avoiding injuries. Based on how NAW reacted and him having to be helped off the court, it seemed unlikely he'd be able to play 48 hours later. I'm not sure how much is luck and how much is a good training staff, but hopefully it keeps up the rest of the way.

[shrink]

This is great news! With Beal coming off the bench now, I can’t think of many other teams we need NAW’s defense more.

[shrink]

With NAW still on the roster after the deadline, I hope we consider signing him to a new deal.

Economically, I believe that the trade market is mostly flexible, so any player you can sign to an under-market contract adds value to your team, even if you don’t have him in your longterm plans. Like Randle, a good contract is a good contract, and letting players walk for nothing means you gained nothing from the Bird rights. You can always rebalance your team later, and often get some profit for doing so.

[Klomp]

With NAW still on the roster after the deadline, I hope we consider signing him to a new deal.

Economically, I believe that the trade market is mostly flexible, so any player you can sign to an under-market contract adds value to your team, even if you don’t have him in your longterm plans. Like Randle, a good contract is a good contract, and letting players walk for nothing means you gained nothing from the Bird rights. You can always rebalance your team later, and often get some profit for doing so.

It might come down to whether there is traction around draft night on the Durant situation. If they feel they have a chance, I think renouncing NAW likely would be a prerequisite.