NBA Rookies: Jarace Walker Deserves More Playing Time

Although Pascal Siakam is now in the Pacers' rotation, Jarace Walker should still be integrated into the team's nightly lineup.

After being selected with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Jarace Walker’s rookie season has gotten off to a slow start. This isn’t due to poor performance on the court, but rather a lack of opportunity at the NBA level.

The Indiana Pacers have primarily given Walker minutes this season at the G League level, which is still extremely valuable. Although some may view that as an opportunity a lottery pick is too good for, that’s simply not the case. The G League certainly has its use, but it’s time for the former Houston Cougar to get more reps in the NBA. To this point, he’s only played a total of 146 minutes over 14 games with the Pacers.

While integrating Walker more heavily into the rotation does get a bit more tricky with the recent addition of Pascal Siakam in Indiana, it actually might make it the perfect time to kick off the process of giving the rookie more minutes. Given how significant lineup changes will be with a player of Siakam’s caliber coming in — not to mention the players that were sent out no longer being in the picture — the rotation is forced to be altered now and into the future.

This is an ideal time to start making Walker a part of the every-night rotation. Although he will have tremendous competition to keep those minutes with frontcourt teammates off the bench in Obi Toppin, Isaiah Jackson and Jalen Smith, the rookie has earned the opportunity to prove himself.

In the past week alone, Walker has played 46 minutes given the shorthanded roster while players on each side of the transaction surrounding Siakam made their moves.

One of those games showcased the 6-foot-8 rookie’s ability to be disruptive on defense, notching four blocks and two steals against the Utah Jazz. That side of the ball is what he’s been known for dating back to high school and is the primary reason he was a top-10 pick.

In the very next game against the Sacramento Kings, Walker flashed his offensive upside with 15 points, including impressive and more advanced shots from the perimeter. Once he gets more minutes on a consistent basis, he will certainly have games in which his two-way impact is felt and he will make a real difference in the win column.

Walker doesn’t necessarily need to play an average of 23 minutes per game like he has over the last week, but at least giving him a dozen or so consistent minutes on a nightly basis would go a long way — not only for his development but also in terms of helping the Pacers win.

Clearly part of Indiana’s long-term core, it’s time to play Jarace Walker more for a variety of reasons. 

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