Rip City Project
Fansided

Meet the 4 players headed to the Trail Blazers in the CJ McCollum trade

By Joe Capraro

Jan 31, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Josh Hart (3) reacts in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Josh Hart (3) reacts in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Portland Trail Blazers, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Blazers trade, NBA trades, NBA trade deadline
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 25: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket against Nickeil Alexander-Walker #6 of the New Orleans Pelicans at the Wells Fargo Center on January 25, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Pelicans 117-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a versatile young asset with upside

The most intriguing of the four most recent acquisitions is Nickeil Alexander-Walker, a third-year 6’6″ wing who played two years at Virginia Tech before being drafted 17th in the 2019 NBA draft. The Trail Blazers took Nassir Little eight picks later, and those two, along with Simons, could end up forming the future core of the Blazers.

Or maybe a handful of them get traded for Ben Simmons or James Harden this summer. Or perhaps Alexander-Walker gets packaged along with Jusuf Nurkic and another newly acquired asset and sent to Sacramento in the next 40 hours or so. At this point the Blazers could go in any one of about seven directions.

But at least the Portland has some options for the next season or two last week’s roster didn’t provide. Alexander-Walker, like Hart, is capable of defending multiple positions better than just about anyone who was a Blazer on February 1. But his contract will become an issue after next season, when he is due a $7 million-plus qualifying offer.

Considering his production so far this season – career-highs of 12.8 points, 26.3 minutes, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 12.6 shots per game – that may be a fair price for the youngster. But if the Blazers aren’t willing to pick up that tab, his modest expiring contract will have some trade value a year from now.