A rising prospect, Nickeil Alexander-Walker from Virginia Tech is a candidate to become a lottery pick. As a sophomore, he’s stepped up as a perimeter shooter and one of the leaders of this offense, at 50.9 percent shooting and 41.6 percent on three-pointers for 16.9 points.
Alexander-Walker, a cousin of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, has a 6-foot-9 wingspan at 6-foot-5. There’s defensive potential for this guard prospect, acting as the coveted two-way player teams desire to fill their rosters.
This is someone the Los Angeles Lakers could have used in the 2018 offseason. They lacked perimeter defenders that can also shoot proficiently from the field. They waited until the Feb. 7 trade deadline to add these players, Reggie Bullock and Mike Muscala.
Alexander-Walker is a player that fits this mold, controllable and under contract, to play next to LeBron James and whoever’s there. That’s if the Lakers retain this pick, pending their involvement in the Anthony Davis trade discussions.
Whether or not it leaves for Davis, this pick seems inevitable to accompany a trade to surround James with veterans. Especially if the Lakers don’t make the postseason. This could impact the New York Knicks offseason.
Either way, Alexander-Walker is an interesting backcourt prospect for any team. His potential as a stable rotation player for years to come should tempt someone enough to make him a lottery selection.