The Philadelphia 76ers are set to enter training camp with a lot riding on it, especially for the coaching staff. Given the blockbuster names they added this summer, it is the best time to tinker with lineups and experiment. However, things will not be as relaxed for Jabari Walker, who is currently under a quiet imperative to make his case right from the get-go given that he is facing a deadline this season to stay on the roster.
Walker is set to make nearly $2.6 million this season, but only $250,000 of his contract is guaranteed. The full amount of his deal will only be secured by him if he stays on the roster until January 10. As such, not only is Walker going to duel it out for consistent minutes and a regular role this season, but he will also be fighting for his life with the squad. That is bound to make his campaign quite uncomfortable.
Jabari Walker faces uncomfortable challenge to stay on the 76ers roster
At just 24 years old, Walker is one of the younger commodities on the roster. Nearly everyone expected him to be the easy ouster this summer to pave the way for the 76ers' flashy signings, but in a relatively unexpected twist, the front office chose to cut ties with Johni Broome, their draft pick last year, to open up a roster spot. That signals some level of commitment to Walker.
That being said, he certainly cannot rest on his laurels and just deem that maneuver as a firm vote of confidence on his continued presence on the roster. Philly's brain trust still wants him to prove himself, and that is where the real but uncomfortable challenge begins for him.
With the addition of Dean Wade, there is no clear path for Walker to crack the regular rotation at this juncture. Of course, he can still function as the nominal backup big man for the 76ers, but the coaches would probably prefer a more traditional and less undersized option to man the position, at least early on.
That is precisely why it is critical for Walker to build his case as a rotation-caliber piece for the 76ers even in training camp. The team liked him enough that his deal was converted from a two-way into a standard NBA contract last season, and while his skill set is limited, what he can bring to the table right now is actually what this team would benefit from having on a consistent basis.
Despite being undersized, Walker is a competent rebounder. He is also one of the more malleable defensive assets on the team, and his perimeter shot, while not eye-popping to any degree, is at least workable. Clearly, he has what it takes to beat the odds and elevate his lowly footing in projected depth charts and be a surprise contributor.
The 76ers still do not have a firm option off the bench for their big man rotation aside from Joel Embiid and Dean Wade, but Jabari Walker is definitely in the loop to assume such a crucial post. Hopefully, he can showcase his growth early on in order to stay on the roster beyond his deadline.
