Now in his third season in the NBA and with the Indiana Pacers, the jury is still out on what type of player Jarace Walker really is.
He has shown flashes numerous times, even during the early parts of this season. But more often than not, Walker doesn't look like an NBA player. He is hesitant on both sides of the ball, he often looks lost and scared on defense, and at the moment, he couldn't throw a pebble into the ocean (he is shooting 27.6% from the field and 18.4% from deep in his last nine games).
Plus, Walker does not handle pressure well, particularly as a ball-handler or a decision-maker. The second an opponent applies pressure or sends a double team his way, the Houston alum panics and often throws the ball away or makes a bad mistake.
This was supposed to be Walker's breakout campaign, but very little has gone right for him. On the year, he is averaging 10 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2.3 turnovers in 14 games. He is also shooting 29.8% from the field and 26.4% from beyond the arc.
Regardless, the Pacers only have one true decision to make regarding Walker. Whether fans may like it, love it, or hate it, it's in his and the team's best interest to just keep moving and hope he figures it out eventually.
Jarace Walker can still turn things around
On paper, Walker is a great fit for the Pacers. He is a physical player who can play just about every position. Throughout his time with the team so far, he has showcased his ability to defend every position, shoot the ball lights out, bring the ball up the floor, and create his own shot or set his teammates up for one of their own.
Unfortunately for the Pacers, the idea of Walker has been far better than the reality of him. Still, it's important to remember one thing: he has yet to consistently play his true role as a do-it-all role player, rather than a major focal point on offense.
The Pennsylvania native has essentially gone from riding the bench for two full seasons to being tasked with taking on every responsibility on the court. This isn't necessarily his or the Pacers' fault, given the key injuries they have had to deal with early in the season, but that's just the reality of it. Nobody in Walker's situation would succeed right away given the situation.
Plus, Walker is still just 22 years old. He is like a preschooler in NBA years, and he needs time to figure things out and let the game come to him. Right now, he is still playing way too fast for his own good and has too much on his plate. Once the game naturally slows down for him, he should expect to see some positive results.
Oh, and let's not forget that it's not just Walker. Almost everybody on the team is playing poorly right now. Whether they just can't settle into their new roles, or whether they just really miss Tyrese Haliburton (which just about everybody in Indiana does), just about everyone on the Pacers is struggling mightily right now.
Walker may never become an NBA-level player. But at the moment, it's still way too early to definitively say this. There is still a lot of basketball left on the schedule this season, and he will have plenty of other opportunities to finally prove once and for all that he does have what it takes to contribute in Indiana for the long run.