MADISON, NJ - AUGUST 11: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans poses for a ... [+]
Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jaxson Hayes flashed glimpses of a great chemistry that they can build on in their Pelican future. Their connection was immediately evident in Las Vegas Summer League action. The rookies had the run of the team in Las Vegas, making All-Summer League teams in the process.
Entering training camp, Hayes and Alexander-Walker will be thrown into the deep end of the competitive pool. Chemistry with other rookies while playing against G-League fodder matter little now. Alexander-Walker especially will face stiff competition for minutes during the upcoming season.
Alexander-Walker decided against traveling with the Canadian National Team to the FIBA World cup. Earning the keys to the second unit will require earning the trust of the coaches and the players. Alexander-Walker can only do that by fully embracing the rigors of training camp. Then he can push Zion Williamson for Rookie of the Year honors, if the NBA Rookie Survey results are any indication of Alexander-Walker's ceiling.
Alexander-Walker could push even push Lonzo Ball with the right passes, like those he dishes out during Las Vegas Summer League action. His shooting numbers are already superior to Ball's. Only his passing and defensive skills will create limits on Alexander-Walker's minutes this season.
Though he averaged 24.3 ppg, 6.0 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game in Las Vegas, Alexander-Walker is not expected to play much this season. He can approach training camp with the freedom to make mistakes while learning on the job. He just will not earn many minutes during the regular season unless he corrects those mistkes.
Just being competitive entering the season would be deemed ahead of schedule progress. The team is likely targeting the last 20 games for most of Alexander-Walker's on-court developmental time. However, his level of play in Las Vegas suggest he could push for time earlier in the season. He could even start as the first guard off the bench, to replace Lonzo Ball.
It would de disappointing to see Frank Jackson and Josh Hart eclipsed by a rookie early in the season. The New Orleans Pelicans have years of developmental investment in Frank Jackson Josh Hart is not shy about expressing his enthusiasm for playing in New Orleans.
Jackson and Hart have shown they could contribute to a successful second unit. Jackson can get find a shot every trip down the court. Last March, Jackson finally got starters minutes and scored like a savvy veteran. He went for double-digit points in 11 of 13 games. February was a bit tougher, as Jackson was asked to fill in against fine line opposition.
Hart can help deny opposing wing players the same opportunity. He can rebound his position better than most guards and hits on 36% of his three-point attempts. Hart was never able to get consistent minutes while playing in Los Angeles. Though the host of a fun, laid-back podcast, Hart will be fierce in fighting for substantial minutes in the New Orleans Pelicans rotation.
Hart's best run of games was at the start of last season, and to end the calendar year. Hart was hot, scoring double-digit points in the Lakers' first five games of the season. He ended 2018 with another five-game scoring streak.
His last season at Virginia Tech, Alexander-Walker averaged 16 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds with 37% accuracy from three-point range. Hart shoots 36% from deep, and grabs 4 rebounds, but barely over one assist per game.
Jackson hits only 31% of his shots beyond the arc. Now that he is fully healthy, and has years in the system, he should feel expectations to win the job. He is the weakest rebounder of the group, and also averages a shade over one assist per game.
All three of Jackson, Alexander-Walker, and Hart will have to divide up minutes behind Holiday and Ball to start training camp. All three will be looking to earn the bulk of the backup minutes. The harder they make Alvin Gentry's decision with positive plays, the better the Pelicans will be over the course of a full season.
Intra-squad battles between backup guards will lift the level of play throughout the team. That friendly competition will benefit the team's push for the playoff spot. The backup guard competition is the most intense and intriguing training camp storyline entering September.
