It sure looks like the Jazz regret dumping this rising star

Even though the Utah Jazz likely won't make the playoffs this season, there's a lot more optimism surrounding the team now compared to last season. For everything that has been going well, one move they've made in the last three years has looked bad in hindsight: dumping Nickeil Alexaner-Walker.

It's likely not many remember that he was on the team or how they got rid of him in the first place. As a refresher, they acquired him for Joe Ingles, then included him the first Russell Westbrook trade when they sent him, along with Mike Conley, to Minnesota.

Alexander-Walker impressively became a solid rotation player during his two-and-a-half seasons with the Timberwolves. Funny enough, last year, he said the Jazz had a lot to do with how he found himself as a player in the two half-seasons he was a Jazzman. However, since getting his big payday, he's taken yet another leap in Atlanta.

One can say this has simply been a good stretch, but on the season, he's been quite good overall, averaging 20.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and one steal while shooting almost 45% from the field and 37.7% from three.

It's hard to quantify, but Alexander-Walker has also proven himself to be a two-way player even before his ascension. That's the kind of player this Jazz team needs, even if he isn't exactly young. It's cool to see him have a Lauri Markkanen-like rise in Atlanta, but it's just a shame it couldn't happen in Utah.

Something else adds salt to the wound

Of course, everyone should be happy to see Alexander-Walker evolve as much as he has, even if it wasn't with the Jazz. It's even cool to see that part of his journey was playing with the Timberwolves, who have basically been the Minnesota Jazz alumni. However, his latest leap has come under the tutelage of, drum roll, Quin Snyder.

It feels so crazy to see how much a Jazz alum has blossomed since leaving the team, and how much better he's gotten while allying himself with notable ex-Jazzmen. If anything, it really makes it feel like the universe is letting the Jazz know this was a missed opportunity here.

And it could get worse. Alexander-Walker, taking yet another leap into an All-Star campaign (and in the weaker conference, no less), could also interfere with Keyonte George's Most Improved Player award campaign. It would have been cool to see those two have those campaigns together, but you can't win them all.

The Jazz should still feel pretty good about where the team is heading. It's just a shame this version of NAW couldn't be there for the ride.