Nickeil Alexander-Walker was a fan-favorite Timberwolf who became a casualty of the cap. Fans of his new team, the Atlanta Hawks don’t seem to appreciate him the way that they should.
There’s a famous lyric that goes, “Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone?” First off—shoutout to Joni Mitchell for writing the most accurate summary of every NBA fan’s offseason blues.
But man… that line hits especially hard in Minnesota right now.
Because Wolves fans? We knew what we had in Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
We knew it when he hounded the Denver Nuggets for 48 minutes (and then ten more in double overtime) with the energy of a caffeinated Jack Russell Terrier. We knew it when he quietly spaced the floor, made smart cuts, rotated like a pro on defense, and then jogged back to the bench like, “Yeah, that’s my job.” We knew it when he was our eighth man on a legit Western Conference Finals team.
And now?
Gone. Cap casualty. The cruel reality of the second apron era.
The Second Apron Is the New Thanos
Tim Connelly had to make some cold-hearted front office decisions this summer. It was a bit like playing NBA 2K MyGM with “realistic cap rules” turned on. You can’t keep everybody.
You had to pay Naz Reid. You also had to pay Julius Randle.
And so, Nickeil was the odd man out. He signed with Atlanta for a well-earned, multi-year deal. We were happy for him. Genuinely.
Hawks Fans, We Need to Talk
Then I saw the SB Nation Reacts poll.
Hawks fans were asked which new or emerging player they’re most excited to see next season.
- Jalen Johnson: 45% (sure, fine, potential galore)
- Kristaps Porzingis: 38% (he’s 7’3” and made of vintage glass, but okay)
- “Other”: 9%
- Nikhil Alexander-Walker: 8%
8%!
Let me repeat that—Nickeil Alexander-Walker lost to OTHER in an offseason popularity contest.
That’s like losing Homecoming King to “Undecided.”
That’s like getting left out of the Friends reunion for Gunther.
No, NAW’s not flashy. He’s not going to do the Jordan Shrug after hitting a stepback three. He doesn’t rock a signature shoe. He might be the quietest Canadian since the guy who invented the zipper.
But what he is—is dependable. Trustworthy. Clutch. Sneaky athletic. And absolutely unafraid of big moments.
Final Word to the Hawks Fans
So Hawks fans, let me offer you a little friendly advice:
Don’t sleep on NAW. Don’t let “Other” get more votes. Don’t wait until he locks up Tyrese Maxey for 36 minutes and hits two back-breaking threes in the fourth quarter to realize what you’ve got.
Nickeil isn’t going to lead your team in usage. But he might lead it in wins above expectations. And if you’re a betting man—or woman—you might want to check FanDuel Sportsbook for NBA futures for Atlanta’s win total. If NAW gets real minutes, that over’s looking juicier than a mid-July Georgia peach.
Just saying.
Parting Shot
Wolves fans? We’ll be fine. We’ve still got Ant, Jaden, Naz, and now a Summer League unicorn in Joan Beringer.
But Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Employee #9, will be missed. He was ours. He mattered.
And somewhere in Atlanta, hopefully soon, Hawks fans will realize they stole something special.
Until then—8%? You’ve gotta be kidding me.