Jalen Slawson has played in just eight games for the Indiana Pacers this season, but he has already made his presence felt, and that was especially true in his latest performance.
During Indiana's 145-126 victory against the Chicago Bulls on Apr. 1, Slawson recorded eight points on 3-for-8 shooting (not great, but he did shoot 2-for-4 from deep), eight rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and two steals in 24 minutes.
This performance comes just a few weeks after he recorded 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting (and, again, 2-for-4 from deep), seven rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and a steal in a 127-119 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Mar. 18.
Slawson isn't on track to get his jersey number retired or make the Hall of Fame, but he's playing some solid basketball with the Pacers. And at this rate, if he can end this season on a high note, he may be a name worth keeping an eye out for next year as well.
Jalen Slawson can become a real contributor in Indiana
The most appealing part of Slawson's game is the all-around impact he makes. He is fantastic at getting to the rim and can shoot some threes, but he is also a solid playmaker, a versatile defender, and someone who has a high motor.
He will never be the best player on the court (and in today's game, he might not ever even be the best Jalen on the court), but the South Carolina native can play. And he's proving it.
After Slawson's game against Portland, teammate Ivica Zubac spoke highly of his game and what he brings to the table (h/t Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star).
“His energy and effort is really, really amazing,” center Ivica Zubac said. “That’s one of the starting things you have to have when you’re getting your chance just to get on the floor. You have to show energy, make effort plays.
It will be tough for him to carve out a legitimate role for himself next season. The Pacers already have a ton of forwards on the team (and that's not even factoring in the possibility of them drafting AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, or Caleb Wilson), and there is a lot going against him. But the 26-year-old clearly possesses some talent, and it will be worth it for Indiana to monitor his play the rest of the way.