Jarace Walker needs to be more consistent next season as he prepares to take on the biggest role of his career so far. If not, the Indiana Pacers may have no choice but to move on from him down the line.
Through his first two seasons with the Pacers, Walker has been underwhelming, especially considering he was a top-10 draft pick in 2023. However, the Houston alum has shown flashes at numerous times, and he looked much better and more comfortable in his second NBA season.
Walker showed improvements on both sides of the ball, and he has a unique skillset that could make him a valuable asset for the Pacers. However, his biggest problem right now is consistency, which he will need to fix next season.
Recently, Michael Facci of the Setting the Pace podcast said that he wants to see Walker play "more consistently," especially now that he is going to be relied on much more heavily.
"I feel like for Jarace, you know that he can do a little bit of everything, but can you see it more consistently, and can you see it in a bigger role?" Facci said.
Jarace Walker must prove he can be a legitimate contributor
Walker mostly looked disappointing and lost during his rookie season. He did not get too many opportunities, but when he did, he left a lot to be desired on the court. The Pennsylvania native mostly looked rough on both sides of the ball, and he rarely used his physicality to his advantage.
Last season was much better for Walker, but his inconsistencies proved to be a big problem.
Walker would have nights where he was lights-out as a three-point shooter and could contribute heavily on the defensive side of the ball, being active and physical. However, he would also have multiple games where he was close to a complete non-factor in every aspect of the game.
In theory, Walker is a fantastic fit in Indiana. He provides value on both sides of the ball, he is incredibly versatile, and he is the most physical player on the team. However, if he is unable to take that next step, the Pacers may opt to move on from him sooner rather than later and prioritize other forwards on the team, such as Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin, by trading him before his value becomes too low.
The six-foot-eight forward has showcased his talents and made it clear that he can help the Pacers compete. In his final 10 games of last season, he averaged 10.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while shooting 53.2% from the field and 53.7% from the three-point line. It is clear that he can perform at a high level, but whether he can do it more consistently remains to be seen.
A big reason for Walker's inconsistencies is that he is still growing as a player. He just turned 22 years old in September, and he also has not gotten consistent minutes with the Pacers so far. Fortunately for him, though, he should be on the court a lot more next season and will have a good opportunity to make his stance in Indiana crystal clear.