As the season winds down, mock drafts are beginning to take over the internet, and we are here for it. The Pacers are no exception. Because they will be drafting so high in the lottery (assuming the ping pong balls work out), they are consistently projecting to get some high-end talent added to the roster in one of the deepest NBA drafts in recent memory.
Because of this, the intrigue of who the Pacers might be most interested in is growing. Many of us inherently understand what would be the best thing for the Pacers franchise as far as the position of the drafted player: power forward.
The Pacers have consistently needed a power forward over the last couple of years and this draft could be the best time to solve that problem as there are multiple power forwards that are top ten talents in the 2023 draft. Some of the most recent mock drafts we have looked at are linked below:
- NBA Mock Draft: Pacers make the next big superstar pairing
- NBA Draft: Detailed mock explains how Haliburton could find co-star
- NBA Mock Draft: Pacers draft another player they don’t need
This newest mock draft has the Pacers taking a completely different player than we have covered previously.
A player that could set up the Pacers franchise for the next decade plus.
While Jarace Walker could have had a better showing in the tournament, many still feel that he is a top five pick, and the player that the Pacers may ultimately go for. Walker sits among other power forwards that could be potential pickups for the Pacers with Brandon Miller and Cam Whitmore being two of the other big names on the draft board.
Walker can shoot effectively from behind the arc and allow for the defense to be strechted more than dnormal but Walker about is able to defend at an incredibly high level. Having Turner and Walker together on the court playing defense could prove the Pacers to have one of the best defensive units in the league (especially if we can get Haliburton and Mathurin to defend as they should).
Additionally. Walker has the size to be able to playin the NBA already, which is something the Pacers have desperately needed. Oftentimes the Pacer are using either a converted center or a small forward and then consistently get burnt on the defensive side of the ball.
This would be a “slam dunk” pick for the Pacers if Walker is available at five.
Jarace Walker would likely be one of the best players the Pacers could hope for this draft cycle. Some might say that Brandon Miller would have more upside, but given some off the court issues, it may prove to be an issue that would keep the Pacers away in the first place.
Walker would be able to immediately elevate defense in lineups where Haliburton is on the court and also be able to contribute to both the pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop game. With both him and Myles on the court, the Pacers would have two defensive bigs that can also stretch the floor on offense.
Walker could still to continue to improve his aggression as well as his ball-handling and creating his own shot. They may not be critical skills at the moment, but they could prove useful if Walker had to play in the open-court more often.
What do you think? Would you be happy with the Pacers getting Walker?