By all accounts, the 2024-25 NBA season felt over for the Portland Trail Blazers before it even started. They are still adjusting to life without superstar Damian Lillard, coming off a 21-win season. Last year was historically bad for the franchise, as the only time they've ever won fewer games came in 1971-72 when they finished with an 18-64 record following their inaugural year.
To the Blazers' credit, they've exceeded their low expectations so far this season at 8-14. And Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan have been playing well (when healthy) and look like excellent offseason additions to their core going forward.
With Avdija and Clingan now in the picture, the Blazers are finally gaining an identity as a lengthy, physical, and defensive-minded team with the core they're rebuilding around. One target who could help enhance that is Jarace Walker—a player GM Joe Cronin should aggressively pursue.
Blazers should target trade candidate Jarace Walker
Walker may not be a needle mover in terms of being that go-to level of player that helps the Blazers return to the playoffs, which they still desperately need. But it's rare that a 21-year-old who is a former No. 8 overall pick is rumored to be a top trade candidate, which is the case, according to Hoops Hype's Michael Scotto.
"With forwards Obi Toppin and Jarace Walker, Indiana’s eighth overall pick of the 2023 draft, stuck behind Pascal Siakam on the depth chart, there’s a belief that Indiana could eventually part with one of the two. Toppin is in the midst of a four-year, $60 million contract, and Walker still has untapped potential in the eyes of executives around the league due to a lack of consistent playing time."
The reason the Indiana Pacers could be open to moving Walker—due to his limited role behind Pascal Siakam and, to a lesser extent, Obi Toppin—is the same reason a rebuilding team like the Blazers should take a chance on the young forward.
Walker is entering his second season and has only accumulated 55 total NBA games played, averaging 13.4 minutes in those games. He hasn't had a significant opportunity to showcase the skillset he displayed in college at Houston, which led to him becoming a coveted draft prospect and top-ten selection.
Walker would seamlessly fit into the Blazers' core
At the very least, Jarace Walker would be a better version of the Blazers' current Walker, Jabari. Jarace is shooting nearly 40 percent from three so far in his two seasons. Jabari shot below 30 percent from deep in his first two seasons and was expected to improve this year, but he has been disappointing in that department, shooting 13.3 percent.
Unfortunately, Jabari's inability to space the floor may be a deal breaker going forward. He plays hard and is a great rebounder, but he is also a tweener, as a 6-foot-7 forward who shrinks the floor but can't effectively protect the rim.
Swapping Walkers in the bench rotation would be a significant upgrade from that standpoint alone. But Jarace also has the upside of eventually being the Blazers' starting forward and long-term Jerami Grant replacement if the Blazers can ever move on from him.
Jarace's career path remains somewhat uncertain due to his limited sample size. That's the exact type of player the Blazers should be gambling on early in their rebuild. He fits their timeline and team identity perfectly and could likely be acquired at a reasonable price. No other player expected to be available at the deadline checks all of those boxes for Portland as effectively.