Indiana Pacers trade with Washington Wizards, select Jarace Walker with eighth overall pick
The Indiana Pacers made a draft-night trade to move back from pick seven to pick eight, where they ended up with Houston Cougars forward Jarace Walker.
At seven, where Indiana was originally slated to pick, Bilal Coulibaly was the pick. He went to the Washington Wizards, who owned the eighth pick at the start of draft night. The eighth pick, along with two second round picks (per ESPN), went to the Pacers. That allowed the blue and gold to select Walker while adding additional draft pieces.
Walker worked out for the Pacers on June 7. It was an individual workout, the second one the team held that day. He did his media availability shirtless after the workout, which made it clear how hard he worked in the individual session — he was dripping sweat.
"Just my skill set," Walker said of what he showed in the workout. "Overall, just everything I can do on the floor. Pass, dribble, shoot, athletic, make plays, defend. Just showcasing my versatility."
The forward, born in Baltimore, averaged 11.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game for the Cougars in his lone NCAA season. He added 1.8 assists per game and was known for his defense. His block and steal rates were impressive, and he paired them with decent offensive efficiency.
AllPacers met with Walker at the NBA Draft Combine, where he discussed his fit with the Pacers. "I definitely can see myself fitting into the program," he said. "Especially with high-level playmakers like [Tyrese] Haliburton and the skill set that [Bennedict] Mathurin has. They have Myles Turner too. So they definitely have a good group, I feel like I could definitely fit right in."
Haliburton, the Pacers best player, tweeted "I like it," just after the pick was made. He watched several of the Pacers draft workouts throughout the pre-draft process.
Walker's defense should fit right in with Indiana. They have made it clear that they want to improve on the defensive end this offseason, and President Kevin Pritchard stressed that he wants to add a player with a high ceiling at the NBA Draft Lottery in May. Walker could be both a defender and a high-upside piece for the blue and gold.
"I would say a hard worker and a versatile defender," Walker said of what he brings to the Pacers after being drafted. He added later that he's super excited to play with a high-IQ player like Haliburton.
For the Pacers to also get additional draft compensation on top of a player who fits the team extremely well is great business. They still own picks 26, 47, and 55 in the rest of the draft.
- Sources: Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers swap second round picks and cash considerations. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers and Denver Nuggets agree on draft pick trade, per source. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers trade seventh overall pick to Washington Wizards, who select Bilal Coulibaly. CLICK HERE.
- Source: Ausar Thompson withdraws from pre-draft workout with Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
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