Kawhi Leonard’s long-awaited preseason debut on Tuesday night drew plenty of attention, and for good reason. In his second stint as a Toronto Raptor, he looked efficient, strong defensively, and smooth from three while operating in a role that wasn’t quite what many expected.
But the louder development for Toronto came from Ja’Kobe Walter.
Walter turned in what was easily his most encouraging preseason showing so far, finishing with 14 points, one steal, one block, one rebound and one assist in just under 18 minutes. He was a plus-15, and the biggest takeaway was simple: he looked comfortable letting it fly.
That matters after a pair of quieter outings. Walter scored eight points against the Heat on October 3 and then managed just three against the Clippers on Saturday. Those games didn’t exactly erase the belief that he could be an important piece, but they did make Tuesday feel like a needed step forward.
What stood out most against New York was how willing he was to keep shooting, even after beginning the game 0-of-3 from the field. Whether the play started in transition or settled into the half court, Walter stayed poised with his hands and feet ready, caught the ball cleanly, and got right into his shot. He went 5-of-5 the rest of the way.
His release is already quick enough to work as a catch-and-shoot threat. The bigger difference on Tuesday was his readiness. He never looked hesitant, and that kind of prep work can make a real difference for a player trying to carve out a larger role.
For a Raptors team that has faced questions about floor spacing, Walter’s performance offered a clean answer. He’s expected to be an important part of Toronto’s push to become a better three-point shooting team this season, and he showed he can help stretch the floor without needing the ball to settle in his hands.
That fits especially well alongside Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Barnes, who are expected to drive the offense. If the role players around them can catch, shoot, and move the ball quickly, they become much more useful. Walter showed he can do that against New York.
He didn’t need a huge scoring night to make his mark, but he delivered one anyway. More importantly, he looked like a player who knew exactly what he wanted to do with every touch. If that version of Walter sticks, year three could be a big one.
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