Indiana Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan spoke out with a clear challenge to Jarace Walker.
The Indiana Pacers just went through a relatively quiet all-around NBA offseason. No major splash moves were made, but the team was able to add two quality role players.
Both Kelly Oubre Jr. and Larry Nance Jr. were signed in free agency.
While the lack of offseason moves has frustrated some fans, the Pacers were never likely to pursue a blockbuster trade or major free agency signing. Instead, they focused on improving their depth and improving from within.
Heading into the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season, Indiana is hoping to see some development from a couple of its young pieces.
At the forefront of that hope is talented 22-year-old forward Jarace Walker. He is coming off of a career season last year with a much bigger role than he saw in either of his first two seasons. The Pacers believe that there is more room for growth.
Throughout the course of the 2025-26 campaign, Walker ended up playing in 76 games and making 41 starts. He averaged 11.6 points per game to go along with 5.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists, while shooting 41.9 percent from the floor and 37.4 percent from the three-point arc.
With that being said, Indiana general manager Chad Buchanan spoke out recently about Walker and issued a challenge to the young forward. He wants to see Walker become the Pacers' version of what the New York Knicks have in OG Anunoby.
"We talk to him all the time about, can you be our OG Anunoby?" Buchanan said. "Can you be a guy that catches and shoots, can drive on a closeout, but also takes on the responsibility of guarding the other teams, best bigger wing. Play with some physicality, play with some attitude. And if you can do that I mean, he's a very valuable player for us."
If Walker can become that kind of player in Indiana, the Pacers' championship odds will skyrocket. Walker has shown the potential to be a key role player like Anunoby throughout his first three NBA seasons.
Right now, it looks likely that Walker will be Indiana's primary backup small forward. Assuming he does win that role, he'll have another opportunity to take a leap.
Whether or not the Pacers actually do have their version of Anunoby or not remains to be seen. But, it's clear that Buchanan and the Indiana front office are very high on Walker and think he can become an even bigger piece of the puzzle this coming season.
Having Tyrese Haliburton back on the court at full health will immediately make the Pacers a serious contender in the Eastern Conference to open the year.
