There was a lot of talk about the Indiana Pacers and what they would do with the 7th overall pick in the NBA Draft — leading up to the draft they made a couple of trades. First, they traded the 29th and 32nd overall picks to Denver for the 40th overall and a future 2024 first-round pick. This will be the worst of their first-round picks in that year’s draft. This was a nice move for the team as it helped provide them with some options for the future.
Their second deal was trading the newly acquired 40th overall pick to the Los Angeles Lakers for the 47th overall pick and cash. This trade is a little more intriguing as on the surface it appears to benefit the Lakers more than the Pacers. But with this moving back now the Pacers are more likely to get a player who will open to signing a two-way contract, similar to Kendall Brown last year.
Regardless, the Pacers were able to make one last deal before finally picking. They agreed to trade the 7th overall pick to Washington. Indiana drafted Bilal Coulibaly and traded him to Washington in exchange for the 8th overall pick this year and two second-round picks in 2028. Those two picks will go to Washington and Phoenix.
Indiana Pacers get defensive-minded forward with 8th pick
So, who did the Pacers pick at No. 8? They selected Jarace Walker, a 6-foot-8, 240-pound defense first power forward. Walker shows enough athleticism to be able to play guard smaller players as well as the bigger ones. He will almost immediately start for this team in the upcoming season.
Considering his game and skill set, he should be a very good fit next to Myles Turner. Walker will be able to guard NBA power forwards while also being able to be a weak side shot blocker and capable offensively. He may not ever be the team’s first, second, or third scoring option. However, he will be a player that opposing teams will need to have a game plan in place.
He’ll also be able to switch, with the Pacers self-proclaimed starting small forward, Bennedict Mathurin on screens. And on the offensive end, when teams put their power forward on Turner, Walker’s athleticism should be enough to take advantage. This will force opponents to choose how they want to defend the Pacers’ big men.
Offensively Walker does need some work, specifically with his jump shot. While at Houston he wasn’t asked to do a lot of scoring. And, realistically, with the Pacers that will probably be the same. However, he will be asked to at least make open shots and be a threat to score. If his jump shot can at least be respectable that will be very beneficial.
He’s shown to be a good passer with some offensive creativity abilities. If these can also play up, they will add another wrinkle to this Pacers’ offense. With the 8th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft the Pacers filled their need for a player who can defend on the wing and fit alongside Turner.