Jabari Walker Appears Ready To Play His Role

Much of the conversation around the Philadelphia 76ers this past offseason rightfully surrounded the pair of high-profile additions entering the starting lineup. However, the depth of the roster will also play a critical role in the Sixers achieving their goal of making a deep playoff run. One of the guys comprising the bench unit is Jabari Walker, who was on a two-way contract last season before being converting to a standard deal in February. The organization signaled their stamp of approval of Jabari during the offseason, opting to free up needed cap space by sending a second-round pick to Los Angeles in order to move Johni Broome’s contract, rather than waiving Walker, whose contract is only guaranteed up to $250k until January.

Walker has demonstrated thus far during preseason play that the front office made the right call. He has played excellent minutes off the bench in both games, recording a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds against the Knicks, and tallying eight points and seven rebounds against Brooklyn. Head coach Nick Nurse offered praise for Walker’s performance on Monday:

“He’s kind of been playing with a little bit more confidence this week. Just feels like he’s ready to pull the trigger, and certainly he goes in and snaps down rebounds. … On the perimeter shot just kind of looks like he’s maybe over a hump on when he’s got space, he’s going to take them, which is where we want him because he’s a really good shooter. So it’s good if he can provide space and rebound, he’s going to be on the floor.”

New teammate Jaylen Brown also spoke Monday in favor of Jabari’s play:

“I love Jabari. Jabari’s been great. He’s been awesome. He’s been doing his job. He’s been hitting shots. He’s been rebounding defensively and offensively. He’s been doing what the coaches have asked him to do. So he’s been great, and he’s been doing really well since training camp.”

Back on Media Day, Walker spoke to his comfort level in being here for his second season, playing under Nurse again with many of the same teammates:

“I know what Nick wants now. It’s pretty simple. You just have to do what’s right for the team. When you’re open, shoot the ball, make the right play, and the guys that we have are willing to do that. We have a great group, so just makes my job easier. I know that there’s no second guessing when I’m open. Coach is confident in me to do the right thing, so I know that I have to focus on the things, and it’s ultimately going to help the team. So me being selfish with shooting the ball when I’m open opens the court up for everybody. So when I think about it like that, then it’s exciting because you know that you’re an important piece to something that’s special.”

The shot will certainly be a swing skill for Walker, after shooting 33.7 percent from behind the arc last season on low volume. How well he shoots the ball could determine the extent of playing time Jabari receives because the opportunity is there, particularly in the wake of Ariel Hukporti’s season-ending Achilles injury. The Sixers are thin at the center position now, with Joel Embiid and Adem Bona the only true fives. Bona is currently out with what’s anticipated to be a minor foot injury, and Embiid will obviously miss games throughout the season due to load management (if hopefully nothing else). Walker is one of the players Nurse has mentioned as a small-ball five option, which is the role he has assumed across both preseason games with Bona out (and Embiid also sitting against the Knicks). On Media Day, Walker described how he’d like to establish his ability to play multiple positions:

“Yeah, I think I’ve showed bits and pieces of me being able to do it. I haven’t put it all together, which is exciting for me because I know where I have to improve. But I think I have the physicality to guard the five. I have the feet to guard the one. So there’s flashes of it, but I think this year I just want to put it all together and know what I’m looking for. Setting the right screens at the five and extending my range. I think my shot is feeling better. It’s looking better right now. So being able to be a real threat at the five and have that pop option and that just opens up the floor. So I know they’re not going to respect it right away, and I’m looking forward to proving them wrong and just being more of a threat.”

The chemistry built among the Sixers’ starting five and how healthy they can remain over the course of the long NBA season will be the driving forces in determining Philadelphia’s success this season. The contributions from the second unit and beyond will also play a role, though. Right now, Walker looks ready to play his.