Last season, the Pelicans’ depth chart featured a host of guards that led to inconsistent minutes from backup point guards Frank Jackson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The off-season reshuffling in the backcourt saw not only Jrue Holiday leave via trade but Jackson and veteran E’Twaun Moore depart in free agency.
Despite drafting Kira Lewis in the draft, Alexander-Walker figures to have a bigger role in his second season with the Pelicans. Lonzo Ball, who worked out alongside Walker-Alexander during the off-season, is one that expects Alexander-Walker to step up in his sophomore campaign.
“I actually got a chance to see Nickeil all summer,” Ball said. “I know he was working. I saw him in the gym almost every day. I know he’s looking forward to having a big year this year and we know what he’s capable of. He can score the ball at a high clip and he can also make plays for us as well.”
Alexander-Walker struggled to find his footing with New Orleans last season, largely due to his inconsistent role. Despite playing in the first 15 games of the season, his minutes varied. In nine of those games, he played fewer than 13 minutes while he played over 20 minutes in four others. After that 15-game stretch, Alexander-Walker struggled to find regular minutes.
In theory, Alexander-Walker’s skillset is one that would complement any of the Pelicans’ other guards. As a combo guard that still was efficient as a spot-up shooter last season, he may yet find a new and improved role under new head coach Stan Van Gundy.
