There was a lot of excitement for Jarace Walker heading into his third season with the Indiana Pacers. He was finally going to get a consistent role, which many fans had clamored for, and he was going to have a chance to work out his inconsistencies and showcase his talents.
In a season that's all about experimentation for the Pacers, a lot of eyes were always going to be on the Pennsylvania native. This is sink-or-swim time for him. However, this season has not gone too well for Walker so far, which could be a major concern for his long-term outlook in Indiana.
Jarace Walker is leaving a lot to be desired with the Pacers
Statistically, Walker is having a career year.
Through 10 games, including seven starts, he is averaging 11.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. These would all be career highs for the Houston alum. However, he is shooting just 33.3% from the field and 32.1% from deep while also averaging 2.1 turnovers per game.
Walker is not making the necessary improvements to solidify himself as a regular contributor in Indiana. He constantly folds under defensive pressure, especially as a ball-handler and decision-maker, and his inconsistency has not improved yet. For example, so far, Walker has the same number of double-digit and single-digit point performances (five of each), and he has only had four games where he shot 40% or better from the field.
He still has some good moments. Walker plays hard on defense and is active in the passing lanes. Additionally, he can pick up on ball-handlers as a POA defender and is often quick to switch or help with double teams. However, he still has numerous moments where he looks lost on the court, especially defensively.
It also doesn't seem like he is finding his shot yet. This shouldn't be too much of a surprise given how much more is on his plate now, but it's still concerning.
The season is young, and Walker still has a ton of time to get things back on track. But it's clear that he has some problems to address. He almost plays too fast for his own good, and he still struggles with decision-making and keeping his composure.
It's obvious that the 22-year-old does have talent. He has shown flashes multiple times, including during this season. However, once again, the idea of Walker is better than the reality of Walker. In theory, he is good at a lot of things. He is physical, versatile, can score from all three levels, can defend every position, can handle the ball, and can create shots for himself and others. However, until he figures it out and finds his confidence, this will likely be the case for the foreseeable future. And it may be what ends his time in Indiana sooner than many had anticipated.