With the 19th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Toronto Raptors found a gem in Ja’Kobe Walter. He had a solid rookie season, but failed to establish himself as a clear part of this core going forward.
Over the past couple months, that has changed.
On the season, Walter has averaged a modest 7.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. Those numbers don’t tell the full story, especially when it comes to his recent play.
Walter’s recent play has been pivotal to the Raptors’ success
Early in the season, Walter was in and out of the rotation. Darko Rajakovic tried to balance minutes between Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji, and Walter, but all three struggled to consistently produce. That led to Agbaji being moved and eventually forced a decision between Walter and Dick.
Rajakovic chose to trust Walter. Since being given that trust, Walter has thrived.
In the 24 games since the All-Star break, Walter has averaged 9.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. His defense has also been outstanding. He often takes on the toughest perimeter assignment when Scottie Barnes needs a break.
The most vital part of Walter’s game has been his shooting. As most Raptors fans have caught on to, Toronto doesn’t have many reliable three-point shooters. They are ranked 22nd in the league in three-point percentage and 25th in attempts.
Walter has been a breath of fresh air. Over that same 24-game span, he is shooting a blistering 46.8% from deep. When combined with his defensive impact, it is no surprise he ranks second among the team's rotation players in net rating since the break.
Can he sustain this level of impact?
This impact is sustainable. Walter is thriving in the exact role Toronto envisioned for him: knocking down shots and playing hard-nosed defense. Those were his strengths coming out of college.
Young players often need a consistent role to find their rhythm. It appears that is what has happened with Walter.
A 24-game sample is a reasonable same size. Ja’Kobe Walter’s impact is real. He may not shoot 46.8% from three forever, but he should remain a reliable shooter and high-energy defender. That is the type of player teams keep around for a long time.