Toronto's shooting is in poor shape: RJ Barrett is at 9.1% from three and Scottie Barnes at 14.3%. Ja'Kobe Walter, in his second season, is the guard whose shot gives the Raptors room to operate while Kawhi Leonard is out.
The Minutes Arrive
Leonard is out with left knee trouble, and his estimated return is November 23. Walter's workload has grown faster than anyone's. Over his last five games he is logging 33.7 minutes, up from a season average of 21.5. Jamal Shead and Barrett have also absorbed more time, but Walter's increase is the largest, and it is the one that changes what the rotation looks like. Raptors Rapture's Mike Luciano argued this may be the best chance Walter ever gets. The schedule is a fair test: two games against an Orlando team without Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs, then a trip to the Lakers, Clippers and Nuggets.
A Shooter Among Bricklayers
Through three games Walter is averaging 13.0 points in 26.1 minutes on 46.4% shooting. He is 40.0% on 6.7 three-point attempts per game. Immanuel Quickley is the next-best regular from deep at 30.4%. Walter's 61.9% true shooting comes on a modest 17.4% usage, so he is scoring efficiently without needing the ball. He also averages 2.3 steals against 0.7 turnovers, which suits a team built on defense. The weak spots are clear too. He is making 62.5% of his free throws, and he scored only 3 points in the 117-94 loss at Minnesota, the night Toronto's offense fell apart.
Cheap, Healthy, Necessary
Walter earns $3.8M this season, and Hoops Rumors reported October 20 that Toronto picked up his $5.9M option for 2027-28. On a payroll of $201.2M, just above the $200.4M tax line, a rotation guard at that price has real value. He is not on the injury report. With him on the floor the Raptors post a 117.8 offensive rating and a 106.4 defensive rating, a net of 11.4, slightly better than the team's 10.5. The verdict is simple. Walter does not need to become a creator. He needs to keep taking threes at his current volume when the shots go cold, guard the opponent's best perimeter player, and turn those free throws into points. If he does that through November, Toronto can hold its spot until Leonard returns.
Is Ja'Kobe Walter starting for the Raptors while Kawhi Leonard is out?
His role has grown to 33.7 minutes per game over his last five, up from a 21.5 average. He is playing a starter's workload with Leonard sidelined until an estimated return of November 23.
What is Ja'Kobe Walter's contract with the Raptors?
He earns $3.8M in 2026-27. Hoops Rumors reported that Toronto picked up his $5.9M option for 2027-28.
