Ranking the 10 Blazers who need to play the most minutes the rest of this season

Which young players should get the most run down the stretch and where do the vets fit in?
Jabari Walker, Portland Trail Blazers
Jabari Walker, Portland Trail Blazers / Alika Jenner/GettyImages
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2. Jabari Walker

Walker has been a revelation in his second NBA campaign. The 57th pick in the 2022 draft averaged 11.1 minutes across 56 games as a rookie, scoring 3.9 points on inefficient shooting numbers. This year, he's already played in 48 games, starting 11 and averaging 8.4 points and 6.4 rebounds in twice as many minutes.

Still only 21 years old, Walker has become an invaluable member of the Blazers' rotation. His effort and hustle on a nightly basis are evident. He's a capable offensive rebounder and underrated passer. He's often at the center of scrums and tipped balls after missed shots, creating extra possessions for a team that doesn't get many and converts on even fewer.

His shot attempts have increased across the board, but so has his efficiency. He's still shooting just 27.8 percent from three, though, and more than 61 percent of his field-goal attempts come within 10 feet. Walker needs to play significant minutes the rest of the way so the Blazers can find out if his ceiling is as a high-level role player or if he can become more.