When you think of ideal bench players, you want someone who can boost an existing situation -- someone who knows their role, serves a specific purpose, and doesn't try to do too much or play beyond their limits. That's precisely what Jabari Walker was for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Walker was the No. 57 overall selection in the 2022 NBA Draft and turned out to be a hidden gem for the Blazers. In his three seasons with Portland, Walker averaged 6.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in just 16.3 minutes per game. At 6-foot-7, he was an undersized big man and a tweener as a center trapped in a forward's body. Although his physical tools limit his ceiling, Walker figured out how to provide value to the Blazers in ways no one else could.
Blazers got rid of the perfect role player
Portland has had several one-dimensional, score-first players on its roster the past few years, and Walker was a refreshing change of pace as a complementary piece who never needed the ball to make an impact. He quickly became a fan favorite with his rebounding, intangibles, and overall hustle plays.
Walker even quietly emerged as a 3-and-D weapon for the Blazers, significantly improving his shot from 29.5 to 38.9 percent from deep the past two seasons. Although the question remains how sustainable that is, it shows that he's still improving at 23 years old.
Walker was an overlooked part of Portland's young core. He's not a needle-mover but doesn't try to be. He fit the Blazers' rebuilding timeline well because of not only his age, but also the fact that his unselfish play provides more ball-dominant players with increased opportunities, furthering their development in the process. That's the exact piece a young Blazers team could benefit from having on the end of their bench. A piece that top-tier organizations like the Oklahoma City Thunder know the value of having around.
Unfortunately, Portland didn't see the value in having Walker's limited ceiling and tweener status taking up one of their roster spots. They didn't extend a qualifying offer to Walker this summer, which made him an unrestricted free agent.
Credit the Philadelphia 76ers for not only picking him up, but also somehow managing to get him on a two-way deal. It was a shocking move that led many to believe Philadelphia landed a steal; Walker is "clearly an NBA player," as Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report put it.
"I was as shocked as anyone that he only got a two-way—he's clearly an NBA player—but I think he'll get converted to a standard deal before the end of the season," Highkin wrote.
Ultimately, Walker does have a limited ceiling as a scorer and playmaker, meaning this decision won't be the make-or-break factor in Portland's rebuild. But it's one we think they'll still come to regret. Walker showed legitimate progress in his three seasons with the Blazers and was the ideal role player.
I'm not sure what more he could've done.