Jarace Walker's Draft Scouting Report: Pro Comparison, Updated Pacers Roster
Joseph Zucker@@JosephZucker
Featured Columnist IVJune 23, 2023
The Indiana Pacers bolstered its frontcourt Thursday with the addition of Houston forward Jarace Walker, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported he is going to Indiana as part of a trade with the Washington Wizards:
Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report
Player: Jarace Walker
Position: PF
Height: 6'8"
Pro Comparison: Aaron Gordon
Scouting Report: Walker's 6'8, 240-pound frame pops first, though it's his flashes of shot-making, drives past closeouts, touch shots and live-dribble passes that highlights skill versatility teams covet in power forwards.
Jarace Walker, PF: Rookie scale contract
Bennedict Mathurin, SG: $6.9M (2026)
Andrew Nembhard, PG: $2.1M (2026)
Myles Turner, C: $21M (2025)
Daniel Theis, C: $9.1M (2025)
T.J. McConnell, PG: $8.7M (2025)
Chris Duarte, SF: $4.1M (2025)
Jalen Smith, PF: $5M (2025)
Isaiah Jackson, PF: $2.7M (2025)
Buddy Hield, SG: $18.6M (2024)
Tyrese Haliburton, PG: $5.8M (2024)
Aaron Nesmith, SF: $5.6M (2024)
Jordan Nwora, SF: $3M (2024)
Torrey Craig, SF: UFA
George Hill, PG: UFA
Oshae Brissett, PF: UFA
James Johnson, PF: UFA
Gabe York, PG: RFA
Kendall Brown, SF: RFA
Walker arrived in Houston to great fanfare as the 11th-best player in 247Sports' composite rankings for the 2022 class. He lived up to the hype, helping the Cougars go 33-4 and claim a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.
In 36 games, the freshman averaged 11.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks. He also flashed some floor-spacing potential, knocking down one three-pointer per contest and shooting 34.7 percent from deep.
Walker also possesses the ability to guard multiple positions, a skill that will serve him well at the next level.
Even if he doesn't break through as an elite talent in the NBA, the AAC Rookie of the Year figures to have a high floor.
