Jarace Walker Ceiling

[FarBeyondDriven]

I feel like I'm alone thinking the 2023 draft was overrated but Walker is someone I really liked. He's not a passive off-ball player however. He needs to be in a secondary playmaking role or as a connective passer since he's such a good passer with high BBIQ. He's also a great defender that can guard 2-4 and a he's a true SF. So it was kinda dumb that the Pacers acquired Toppin who is none of these things and does nothing but block Walker's development. Walker has a fairly high ceiling if his shot falls. There aren't a lot of similar players but going by impact, I think guys like Miles Bridges and Keegan Murray are decent comps. He'll never be a legit #1 or #2 but he can be a really solid #3 imo

[jowglenn]

Coming into the draft I saw Walker's ceiling as a Draymond Green type player - a do-it-all forward who can defend multiple positions and be a playmaker. I think he's still got potential to hit that trajectory. His passing is his biggest gift. In my years watching basketball, there are players who "have it" when it comes to passing, where it's almost like they have a natural, unthinking ability to just make a pass without any hesitation or premeditation. Walker "has it." His scoring needs work, his shooting is on and off, and his defense isn't there yet. I have hope that all of those things will develop in time. But the passing will be his strongest suit - he has that magic touch that can't be learned and can't be trained.

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

IMO where he's at is close to his ceiling. The shooting came along much quicker than expected but it's hard to be a valuable NBA big when you can't take contact or set a proper screen

The Pacers are kinda developing him as a SF at the moment, I'm sure he'll play some PF too, don't see him getting near the C position unless its a small ball lineup.

[uconn83]

Jalen Johnson type break out player but perhaps not till the end of next season.

[Mr Peanut]

10/6 guy off the bench.

[GSWFan1994]

Reminds me of Kawhi. Still too early to tell, though.

[jazzfan1971]

I like him. But, posting G-League videos is just pushing me the other direction. His per36 numbers paint a picture of a good all around player. Shane Battier comes to mind as a high level comp.

[brutalitops]

Starting 3/4 on a good team

Ceiling is 1/2 all stars, Looks pretty good, I dont think he shows too many weaknesses, Shows some good defensive instincts, moves the ball well, Can hit some open shots. He struggles a little bit creating his own shot, but when you have Haliburton and Pascal, whatever really

Saying he's Draymond Green like is a bit rich. You would hope for Andrew Wiggins in the one GS post season, scaled back about 30% who actually passes

[Wolveswin]

I would love him as young asset centerpiece in a Towns trade. Would Pacers want to upgrade from Turner to locked in Towns at cost of Walker + Nembhard? Siakam and Towns would be pretty sweet pairing.

Turner would need to go to 3rd team, so some draft pick value could be coming back.

[brutalitops]

I would love him as young asset centerpiece in a Towns trade. Would Pacers want to upgrade from Turner to locked in Towns at cost of Walker + Nembhard? Siakam and Towns would be pretty sweet pairing.

Turner would need to go to 3rd team, so some draft pick value could be coming back.

Would be great if you wanted to see teams go "Do we just drive into Rudy for 48M and hope his arms get tired of blocking us and get some offensive going, then watch ANT try to create offense somehow every single play.

[cupcakesnake]

Coming into the draft I saw Walker's ceiling as a Draymond Green type player - a do-it-all forward who can defend multiple positions and be a playmaker. I think he's still got potential to hit that trajectory. His passing is his biggest gift. In my years watching basketball, there are players who "have it" when it comes to passing, where it's almost like they have a natural, unthinking ability to just make a pass without any hesitation or premeditation. Walker "has it." His scoring needs work, his shooting is on and off, and his defense isn't there yet. I have hope that all of those things will develop in time. But the passing will be his strongest suit - he has that magic touch that can't be learned and can't be trained.

Yeah I also imagined Draymond with a better chance at being a shooter (and slightly better scoring tools overall). While I still want to see him in bigger minutes before having any definite feelings, I think his rookie season defensive struggles have already taken that comp off the table. The Draymond comp is always a bit of a silly one because Draymond is simply one of the smartest basketball players of all-time, which makes it impossible to make comparison to guys based on skill set. Someone with Draymond's skillset, but without his mental gifts, isn't a great basketball player.

I think Jarace Walker is going to be a good defender. He has crazy length, disruptive hands, and a rare mix of strength and footspeed. His natural tools are great. But he's really struggled to adapt to NBA defense and Houston's scheme I think made him look like more of a defensive genius than he is/was.

Offensively, I think he'll have some limitations as a rim scorer, like he did in college. But he's already shown confidence in his shot, great passing ability, and explosive driving.

Hoping we get an extended look at him down the stretch. There's still theoretically a chance he can win playoff minutes, but I'd be surprised if he was in the playoff rotation. Right now he's sort of fighting with Doug McDermott, Ben Sheppard, and Isaiah Jackson for the rotation minute scraps. Rather than solidify a 8 or 9-man rotation, I think Carlisle will use those guys as specialists. If they need a bigger, stronger defender against wings, Jarace gets the nod over Douggie and Sheppard. Sheppard when they want to go smaller and more versatile, Doug when they need more shooting, Jackson when they want more size/finishing. Their first round matchup might determine who they need the most. If they play a healthy Knicks team, they might need Jarace to bang with Randle/OG.

[Hoop Hunter]

It's still to early to tell, with such a small sample size. I love the skill set though.

He's not anything like a imagined when we drafted him. I thought he was more 4/5 than 3/4. Pleasantly surprised.

He's more of a big 3 that can easily play some 4. He really is a elite passer. His 3pt shot keeps looking better. He needs to learn to finish stronger. I don't like his little in the lane floater, he's to big and strong to rely on that, go strong young man.

He should get a lot of playing time next season. Year 3 he could be really good. I see all star type talent, or maybe I'm just being homeish.

[brackdan70]

The ceiling is the roof!!!

[tcheco]

His passing has looked great, his IQ too, he looks more like a 3 than a 4. Hopefully he can keep developing and shooting well. Showing these flashes as a rookie is the first step, loved the comparison to aaron gordon, Pacers and fans shouldn't expect him to be aiming for 20ppg instead of hoping for decent shooting splits, assists, defense