Start Nickeil Alexander-Walker? Hawks’ Lineup Dilemma

The Hawks starting Nickeil Alexander-Walker is becoming less of a hot take and more of a real discussion. As his minutes rise and his role sharpens, the question grows louder. Atlanta is still searching for a steady two-way balance around Trae Young, and Alexander-Walker keeps checking important boxes on both ends of the floor.

Start Nickeil Alexander-Walker? Hawks’ Lineup Dilemma

From the moment he enters the game, his defense stands out. He fights over screens, tracks shooters, and uses his length to bother pull-up jumpers. That effort at the point of attack helps protect the paint and keeps bigs out of constant scramble mode. For a Hawks team that has struggled to string together stops, his presence stabilizes possessions and gives them a different look than when Dyson Daniels is on the floor.

On offense, Nickeil Alexander-Walker does not need a high usage rate to be useful. He can initiate a set, swing the ball, then space to the corner. He hits catch-and-shoot threes in rhythm and attacks closeouts when defenders rotate late. That blend of on-ball comfort and off-ball patience fits well next to a star guard who dominates the ball, and it’s part of why some around the team have started to wonder if you should Start Nickeil Alexander-Walker once Young returns from his injury.

Daniels’ shooting slump has only added fuel to that conversation. When he struggles to convert open looks, defenses help off him more aggressively and shrink the floor for everyone else. Alexander-Walker’s more reliable perimeter threat, combined with his defensive activity, makes the idea to start Nickeil Alexander-Walker in a Trae-led lineup feel less like an overreaction and more like a legitimate adjustment to consider.

Why the Hawks Starting Alexander-Walker is a Real Question

The idea of having the Hawks start Nickeil Alexander-Walker changes how the backcourt functions. In most matchups, he would take the toughest perimeter assignment. That would let Young guard less demanding players and spend more energy on running the offense. It also signals that defense is a priority from the opening tip, not just a late-game adjustment.

His defensive work has a ripple effect on the rest of the lineup. When Alexander-Walker contains drives or funnels them into help, rotations behind him become simpler. Teammates close out shorter distances and spend less time chasing shooters off broken plays. Even if he never makes an All-Defense team, his consistent positioning can raise the floor of the Hawks’ scheme.

On the other end, a starting role would not demand a new playing style from him. The Hawks would still run most actions through Young. Alexander-Walker would act as a connector: bringing the ball up when needed, handling secondary pick-and-rolls, and staying ready as a shooter. His willingness to move the ball and accept a smaller scoring role fits what a starting guard next to Young should be.