As we inch closer to the end of the 2025-26 regular season, the opportunities for the Raptors' players outside of the starting five will start to dwindle. Head coach Darko Rajakovic will likely be narrowing his rotation, focusing on a core group of players and fine-tuning minutes accordingly.
Regarding the bench, it's pretty safe to assume that Jamal Shead, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Collin Murray-Boyles (once he's back and healthy) will see a decent chunk of minutes in the Raptors' postseason push. However, if Coach Darko decides to run with nine players or even shortens the rotation to eight in some key matchups, I think Ja'Kobe Walter has built a compelling case for himself to be in that mix.
Watch for Ja'Kobe Walter to carve out his spot in the Raptors’ rotation
Based on what Raptors fans saw from him in the last game — and other flashes throughout March — it’s clear he's positioning himself as a strong contender among the Raptors' young guys fighting for those minutes. That group includes Gradey Dick, Jamison Battle, and even Jamal Shead, whose recent downturn in play makes Walter’s case even more notable.
Ja'Kobe Walter finished his last game against Chicago on March 18 with an impressive 18 points on 4-for-6 shooting, including 2-for-4 from three. He also recorded four rebounds, one assist, one steal, and a plus/minus of +20. But perhaps most impressive of all was Walter's ability to draw fouls and making the most of it, going 8-for-9 from the free throw line.
Rajakovic addressed this ability shown by Walter in his post-game presser, saying: "He did a really good job of cutting. He did a really good job of bringing the ball to the paint and playing off of two feet. And that's something that he's been focusing on quite a bit, finishing around the rim, and playing off of two feet closer to the rim."
In Ja'Kobe Walter, the Raptors have a youngster with solid defensive mechanics. He's demonstrated to be a promising point-of-attack and perimeter defender, capable of disrupting plays when it matters most. Already this season, he's shown he can hold his own against high-caliber opponents like Steph Curry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. This aligns perfectly with the Raptors’ vision of establishing a strong defensive identity and making it a defining part of their culture.
However, where Walter still needs improvement is as a shot maker. He's still ironing out the kinks in his three-point game, sitting at a respectable but still developing 35.9 percent on 3.4 attempts per game this season. Even in some games where his shot hasn't been falling, I've been pleasantly surprised by his defensive effort during the minutes he's been given. He's still actively trying to make an impact for his team, even when the offense isn't quite clicking.
As Coach Darko mentioned, Walter has been working on getting the ball into the paint and cutting effectively. I believe that if he can combine that with a reliable three-point shot, there's no denying that Ja'Kobe Walter has carved out a meaningful role that the Raptors simply can't ignore. On that point, it's a role that no other bench player can quite match in terms of scoring potential and defensive impact.
Shead is a reliable playmaker, but not much of a scorer and a stretch of especially poor lapses of late. Mamu is the ideal stretch four, someone who can get you buckets when needed. CMB, Toronto's versatile rookie, brings defensive aggression and physicality to the table. That’s where Ja'Kobe Walter fits in perfectly — as the swingman who can do a little bit of everything.
I'm not exactly sure that Walter is a guaranteed lock in the rotation, but there’s definitely a pathway for Coach Rajakovic to consider — pending the reveal of Toronto’s postseason opponent and outlook. I’d really love to see Walter get his moment to shine, and I hope he capitalizes on this final stretch of the season to earn his spot there.