Jabari Walker aims to take next step in development: Trail Blazers season review, look ahead

The Oregonian/OregonLive is taking a player-by-player look at the Portland Trail Blazers roster heading into the offseason.

Prior posts: Duop Reath; Kris Murray; Rayan Rupert; Dalano Banton; Moses Brown; Justin Minaya; Ibou Badji; Ashton Hagans.

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Jabari Walker

Height, position, age: 6-foot-7, forward, 21.

Contract status: Walker has one year remaining on his contract at $2 million. He will become a restricted free agent at the end of next season.

2023-24 contributions: During last year’s exit interview, Blazers coach Chauncey Billups told Walker what areas of his game he needed to work on the most.

“And he attacked all of them,” Billups said. “He got his body right, his understanding of what we wanted to do and his game. And him guarding people. He just attacked it all … He proved to all of us that he’s a player.”

Consequently, Walker’s production greatly improved. In 72 games with 23 starts, Walker produced 8.9 points in 23.6 minutes per game, shooting 46% from the field and 29.5% on threes.

Walker’s 7.1 rebounds per game ranked second on the team behind Deandre Ayton (11.1).

Fit moving forward: Walker ended his second season believing he had established an identity as a player.

“I’m a guy that rebounds, a guy that plays defense,” he said. “A hustle guy. I’m known for that. So, I have to make sure my energy is right at all times.”

Walker’s best traits were on full display late in the season. During a five-game stretch in April, he averaged 15.8 rebounds per game with 12 points in 36 minutes.

However, he shot just 32.8% from the field (19 of 58).

Walker won’t command a larger role until he improves as a shooter.

He shot a respectable 60.7% inside five feet (170 of 280) while displaying a knack for scoring on put-backs.

Further out, things became dicey. Walker sunk just 17 of 75 (22.%) from between five and 14 feet.

Walker didn’t hesitate to identify shooting as the key area he must work on this offseason.

“I think that’ll open up a bunch for me,” he said. “It’ll just change things for me as a player.”

Should that happen, Walker would fit in perfectly as a backup power forward.

Trade value: Minimal. A team searching for frontcourt depth and someone to develop could find Walker’s potential intriguing.

Likelihood to return: Almost a lock. Walker, just 21, made a huge jump last season and should be expected to do the same in season three. He has the look of developing into a legitimate rotational power forward and fits the Blazers’ timeline set around 20-year-olds Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.

2024-25 outlook: Walker’s growth impressed general manager Joe Cronin.

“Jabari had a really nice year overall, highlighted by some - I thought - really high-end performances towards the end of the season,” Cronin said. “Especially, obviously, he rebounded the ball extremely well. But just his overall aggressiveness and impact.”

The Blazers will likely draft a forward with their lottery pick and that player will eat up minutes in the frontcourt. To combat this, Walker must improve his shooting, his stated goal this offseason.

Should he do so, and become more technically sound in all areas, Walker could be tough to keep out of the rotation.

“I think this year it was kind of me figuring out how I played best,” Walker said. “Figuring out what my emotions are like when I played best. Just my identity. My first year was just learning.”

Next up: Guard Matisse Tybulle.

-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)

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