No. 8: Indiana Pacers select Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Original pick: Jarace Walker
Jaime Jaquez Jr.'s ability to contribute immediately was part of the appeal for drafting the UCLA forward. He certainly lived up to those expectations during his rookie season; Jaquez Jr. averaged 11.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, carving out a consistent role on a competitive Miami Heat roster.
The Indiana Pacers have done a great job assembling a well-rounded roster in the past few seasons by acquiring Tyrese Haliburton and surrounding their playmaker with weapons.
However, the weak spot of the Pacers' roster is their small forward position, which serviceable role players Aaron Nesmith and Bennedict Mathurin currently occupy. They were hoping to find their forward of the future in Jarace Walker, who was one of the most promising prospects in the draft after a solid collegiate season with Houston. The jury is still out on Walker, who was given little opportunity his rookie season in a crowded Pacers' frontcourt, averaging only 10.3 minutes per game.
However, the Pacers know what they are getting in Jaquez Jr. as a solid role piece to complement their core. Indiana also finds themselves in more of a win-now mode after acquiring Siakam and their Eastern Conference Finals run. Their recent upgrades make Jaquez Jr., 23, an ideal fit for their timeline.