2023 NBA Draft Live Tracker: Grading every pick made
2023 NBA Draft grade: No. 8 pick Jarace Walker, Indiana Pacers
F. Houston. Jarace Walker. 100. 8. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
Grade: A
The Pacers now have one of the most fearsome defensive frontcourts in the NBA, pairing Jarace Walker with Myles Turner. Indiana will also get future assets by trading back one spot. Walker was higher than Coulibaly on our board.
Walker brings a lot of interesting skill to the offensive end. He can operate as a playmaking hub from the elbow, using his strength to bump defenders around and frequently making selfless, high-level passing reads. His face-up scoring upside is unreal if he gets more confident driving all the way to the cup.
The Pacers have been looking for a starting power forward for a while. Now they have one. He can defend 1-5, handle small-ball center minutes when Turner sits, and work two-man actions on the offensive end with Haliburton and Mathurin.
From our NBA Draft Big Board:
"The NBA values versatility above all else, and Jarace Walker provides a lot of it. On defense, he has the potential to guard 4-5 positions on any given night. He’s strong enough to battle bigs inside, quick enough to contain guards at the point of attack, and he ties it all together with tremendous instincts off the ball. He makes his presence felt consistently on the defensive end. He has more work to do offensively, but Walker’s impressive athleticism and potential as a downhill scorer shine through. If he can make the 3-point shot a regular staple of his game, Walker will have very few glaring weaknesses at the next level."