Duane Washington Jr is one of many Indiana Pacers rookies from this past season that seized the opportunity when it presented itself. He joined the Pacers as an undrafted prospect with their G League affiliate Fort Wayne Mad Ants signing a two-way contract last July.
After two months of lighting up the G-League, the Indiana Pacers had seen enough and made the move to bring him up to give him minutes in the NBA.
Duane’s stats in the G-League: 19.5 points, 4.1 assists, 3.3 rebounds shooting 31.2% from three, and 37.6% from the field.
He played in 44 games this season and started 7 of them for the Pacers.
He averaged 10.4 points, 1.9 assists, 1.8 rebounds, and shot 40.4% from the field and 37.7% from three in those games.
What went right for Washington this season with the Indiana Pacers?
He showed he’s a capable sparkplug off the bench.
When the starters need a rest Washington was there to keep the team energized and keep the Pacers in the game. He did have his moments this season when great showings such as against the San Antonio Spurs where he scored 19 off the bench and shot 3 of 4 from three-point land.
One play from that game that stuck out in my mind was, late in the first quarter some of the starters had been subbed out and the Pacers were up by seven on the Spurs. Duane was looking for his shot, he pumped faked, and then passed to Keifer Sykes.
Sykes passed it back as Buddy Hield ran behind Duane’s defender, there had been a miscommunication, and Washington got an easy dunk that made the Pacers’ bench erupt in excitement teammates jumping around and waving towels.
This is what Duane can bring to the basketball court. Excitement and energy.
OFFICIAL: We have signed Terry Taylor and Duane Washington, Jr.
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 7, 2022
Additionally, we have signed Nate Hinton and Gabe York to two-way contracts. In a related move, we have waived Keifer Sykes.
Learn more » https://t.co/fE4UWvHKtS pic.twitter.com/ckLX5La1UC
Duane is a player who is athletic and quick enough to beat you off the dribble but also punishes you if you leave him open for three. All for the price of around $1.5 million next season, with that kind of production the Pacers got a possible diamond in the rough.
He’s proved that he can come off the bench and still put up points for the Indiana Pacers hitting a career-high 22 points twice this season.
What went wrong for Washington this season?
His inexperience and efficiency really hampered him at times.
Of course, the one thing that went wrong for Washington was just him being a rookie and figuring out where he fits into the Indiana Pacers’ game plan.
He had 24 games where he shot below .400 and it showed his inexperience and shot-creating. There were times when he took extremely contested jumpers and struggled all-around from the field. His worst game was against the Orlando Magic only putting up 3 points on 1 for 9 from the field and 0 for 3 from three.
However, that could be said about the team as a whole with a lot of our young guys getting large amounts of minutes this past year Duane and others look to build on their rookie season
Washington spoke about how his feelings toward this young squad in Indiana in his exit interview.
"“We have this feeling that this group of guys is going to be something special. We all have one goal as we’ve been together for these last 20 to 25 games, we’ve learned so much about each other. This summer is going to be very, very important for us, we agreed on a pack, and we’re going to hold each other accountable”."
Duane has taken every opportunity given to him and run with it. He has been more than appreciative of the Pacers for taking a chance on him and bringing him up to the NBA. The former Buckeye earned his spot in the NBA and now he has a multi-year deal to grow his game in the basketball state of Indiana.
Grade: B+