Jarace Walker was named the Indiana Pacers' top breakout candidate for the 2026-27 season.
Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz named Jarace Walker the Indiana Pacers' top breakout candidate for the 2026-27 season.
Here is why:
"Walker saw a larger opportunity last year due to the number of injuries on the Indiana Pacers. That should set him up for a career year in 2026-27. The 23-year-old forward saw a bump in both rebound and assist percentage in Year 3 while averaging a career-high 11.6 points per game. Walker has been a consistent outside shooter (38.6 percent) who can play either forward position.
"Having a healthy Tyrese Haliburton back should help get Walker even more quality looks. Fellow forward Obi Toppin could be a trade candidate, as moving his $15 million contract could help the Pacers get out of the luxury tax."
Walker appeared in 76 games for the Pacers last season. He averaged 11.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 41.9% from the field, 37.4% from beyond the arc and 74.9% from the free-throw line.
Walker has been with Indiana since the 2023-24 season. He enters next season with career averages of 8.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.
Walker will once again come off the bench for the Pacers next season, as head coach Rick Carlisle is widely expected to start Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac.
The Pacers made the NBA Finals in 2025. They were one game away from winning it all. They might have defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 had Halliburton not torn his Achilles.
Remember, Indiana was winning when Halliburton got hurt in OKC.
The Pacers and Haliburton will presumably be highly motivated to prove their critics wrong next season, as there are some pundits who believe Indiana won't be a contender and Haliburton won't be the All-Star player he was before getting injured.
Indiana opens the 2026-27 regular season on October 21 against the New Orleans Pelicans.
