Why the Pacers Should Be Patient With Jarace Walker - At Least For Now
As the Indiana Pacers continue to explore ways to strengthen their roster - particularly at the center position - one name that keeps surfacing in trade speculation is Jarace Walker. And while packaging the 2023 lottery pick in a deal might sound like a logical move on paper, the reality is this: Walker’s value is at its lowest point right now, and Indiana would be wise to hold off before making any rash decisions.
Let’s be clear - the idea of trading Walker isn’t off the table. It may even be the right move down the line.
But doing it now? That’s a gamble with more downside than upside.
A Work in Progress, But the Tools Are There
Walker, the No. 8 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, hasn’t exactly hit the ground running. He’s shown flashes - like his 21-point performance on 8-of-10 shooting against the top-seeded Pistons back in November - but those moments have been the exception, not the rule. The Houston product has struggled to find consistency, and that’s been the biggest hurdle in his development so far.
When he’s locked in, Walker looks the part of a modern NBA forward: strong, versatile, and confident. He can handle the ball, switch defensively, stretch the floor, and take on multiple roles on both ends.
But when the confidence dips, so does the production. That six-turnover outing against the Warriors on Nov.
9? That was the other side of the coin - hesitant, indecisive, and mistake-prone.
Still, this is a 22-year-old in his first real stretch of consistent NBA minutes. He’s the second-youngest player on the Pacers’ roster, only older than rookie Johnny Furphy.
Growing pains were always going to be part of the equation. The question is whether Indiana is willing to ride those out - or sell low on a player who hasn’t had the chance to fully show what he can become.
Trending in the Right Direction
The encouraging news for Indiana is that Walker is starting to look more comfortable. Over his last 10 games, he’s averaging 9.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while shooting 44.4% from the field and 37.2% from deep. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but they’re steady - and more importantly, they’re trending in the right direction.
He’s not just surviving out there anymore. He’s starting to belong.
There’s still plenty of room for growth. The inconsistencies haven’t vanished, and it’s fair to wonder whether Walker will ever become a starter on a true contender. But the potential is still there, and the Pacers are finally seeing signs that he’s moving toward unlocking it.
Don’t Sell Low
The temptation to include Walker in a trade - especially if it brings back a high-impact center - is understandable. Indiana’s front office is clearly looking to build around Tyrese Haliburton’s timeline, and adding a more reliable interior presence could be the next step in that process.
But trading Walker now, when his value is at its lowest, is a risky play. The upside of keeping him around - letting him develop, gain confidence, and showcase his full skill set - outweighs the short-term benefit of using him as a sweetener in a trade package.
If the Pacers truly believe in the player they drafted just over a year ago, now’s the time to show it. Let him keep earning minutes.
Let him make mistakes. Let him grow.
Because if he does figure it out - and the tools suggest he very well could - Indiana might find themselves with a versatile, two-way forward who fits perfectly next to their young core.
And if not? There’s always the summer. But for now, patience might be the Pacers’ best move.