After a disappointing rookie season last year, many Indiana Pacers fans hoped for Jarace Walker to improve this season and assume a larger role. While he has technically had more opportunities than he did last season, fans of Walker are likely still disappointed in his situation.
Walker, who was the No. 8 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, is averaging 5.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 15.5 minutes over 55 games. The Houston alum has logged double-digit minutes just twice since the start of February and was inactive for four games in the last month. Since the All-Star break, Walker has played a total of 24 minutes in five games.
On Sunday, per Pacers beat writer Scott Agness, head coach Rick Carlisle revealed that Walker will appear in Monday's game for their G League affiliate, the Indiana Mad Ants, which he did.
Rick Carlisle says Jarace Walker plans to play in the Mad Ants' home game tomorrow v Raptors 905.
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) March 3, 2025
"He's come a long way professionally. ... I've been very impressed over the last two months with his readiness, the way he prepares himself, all those kinds of things."
In the win for the Mad Ants, Walker recorded a 20-point, 12-rebound, and 10-assist triple-double. Furthermore, he shot 8-for-15 from the field and recorded five steals and two blocks.
This is a controversial decision, and one that many fans have the right to be angry about. However, there are some positives to take away from this move, and it may actually help Walker and the Pacers out in the long run.
The Pacers are giving Jarace Walker reps in the G League
On the surface, Walker going to the G League seems like a demotion (though it technically is, to be fair). However, regardless of whether it is fair or not, the 21-year-old is not getting playing time for the Pacers and is not getting the opportunity to showcase his worth. By having him play in the G League, he will now have an opportunity to get some playing time and work on his craft
Walker has shown glimpses of potential at times, but it is evidently not enough for him to become a regular contributor this season. Regardless of how his Pacers career has started, it is fair to say the team still has relatively high hopes for Walker. If not, they would not even bother giving him this opportunity in the G League.
The Pennsylvania native possesses a lot of tools that can make him useful to the Pacers down the line. Whether he will ever be a regular contributor in Indiana or not remains to be seen, but it is at least a promising sign that the team is opting to give him time in the G League as opposed to letting him just ride the bench.
It is unclear what needs to happen for Walker to ever become a rotation player for the Pacers, whether it be to trade away a player like Toppin or just his natural progression, but it is something for fans to keep an eye on from here on out.