NBA fans have quickly written off the Indiana Pacers after their Game 7 NBA Finals loss because of the Achilles tendon injury Tyrese Haliburton suffered in that performance. Jarace Walker could save the team's 2024-25 season, though. Walker was a lottery pick in 2023, but he hasn't yet lived up to expectations. The power forward could break out this upcoming season, and it could lead to the Pacers having a better-than-expected year.
The state of the Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have been underrated and taken for granted for two straight seasons now. In 2023-24, they shocked the basketball world by reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. The offense was incredibly productive that season, but a lack of defense led to many fans predicting that their semifinal run would be looked at as a fluke.
Instead, the Pacers got even better and proved their worth to the league. Indiana made it all the way to the NBA Finals, and they fell just one victory short of being crowned champions. Unfortunately, Haliburton suffered an injury in Game 7 that will keep him out for the upcoming season. Because of that, many look at the 2025-26 campaign as a gap year for the Pacers.
Without Haliburton, they will certainly struggle to get back in the NBA Finals. The two-time All-Star and former assist leader is the leader of the Pacers. His playmaking prowess is what makes the Pacers such a scary offensive team, and his clutchness came in handy multiple times during the postseason.
There is still plenty of talent on the roster in Indiana. Pascal Siakam is a three-time All-Star, and Andrew Nembhard is perhaps the most underrated player in the NBA. Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith, Bennedict Mathurin, and T.J. McConnell all provide valuable roles as well. The Pacers will need Walker to step up, though.
What can Jarace Walker bring to the Pacers?
In addition to losing Haliburton for next season, the Pacers will be without Myles Turner going forward. The ex-longest tenured Pacer left town for a contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. That leaves a gaping hole in Indiana's front court. Walker was drafted behind the idea that he could play starter minutes for the Pacers, and there are certainly plenty of minutes to be had.
The Houston product predominately plays the four, but he could step up as a small ball five as well. Walker has career averages of only 5.4 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, but his minutes per game went up from 10.3 to 15.8 during his sophomore season. Walker was expected to have a bigger role than he has early on because he is an excellent defender with a great motor. He even showed flashes of scoring during his collegiate career.
Walker just hasn't been able to unlock those skills at the NBA level because minutes have been hard to come by while the Pacers have been competing for championships.
Last season, Indiana had one of the deepest rotations in basketball, but they will need all of the help that they can get this go around.
Walker isn't nearly the rim protector that Turner was, but he still has the size and strength to guard inside. His ability to defend on the wing as well could even open some things up for Indiana's defense. Walker isn't an elite rebounder, but neither was Turner. What Walker will bring is a change of pace at the power forward position in comparison to what Siakam brings to the table.
With as many weapons as the Pacers have on offense, Walker could even play alongside Siakam and provide the defensive intensity that would be otherwise lacking. Year three is the year that Walker will break out and live up to his pre-draft billing.