Jay Huff, coming off a season that finally got him a full-time gig in the NBA, was moved over the weekend by the Memphis Grizzlies to the Indiana Pacers, who suddenly have a need for a stretch five.
Huff, a 2021 UVA Basketball alum, was traded to the Pacers for a second-round pick and a second-round pick swap.
For years, it made little sense that Huff, an athletic 7’1” rim protector who can shoot from three, couldn’t land a regular job in the Association.
It finally happened for him in Memphis last fall.
With Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey battling minor injuries early in the 2024-2025 season, the Grizzlies signed Huff off the streets just to have somebody on the floor at the five spot.
It only took him a week to impress the front office enough to get him a four-year deal.
ICYMI
When he got minutes, he was productive – Huff scored in double-digits in 22 of the 64 games that he played in, averaging 6.9 points in 11.7 minutes per game for the season.
The per-36 numbers tell you more of his value – 21.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocks, along with his 51.5 percent shooting from the field and 40.5 percent shooting from three.
According to Synergy Sports data, Huff shot 79 percent at the rim, made 40 percent of his catch-an- shoot jumpers and was 15th in field goal percentage allowed in the restricted area among the 249 players who defended more than 100 shots.
Indiana will look to Huff to fill the void left by 6’11” 10-year veteran Myles Turner, who put up 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game for the Pacers in 2024-2025.
Turner is also a big who can shoot from the perimeter – he shot 48.1 percent from the floor and 39.6 percent from three this past season.
Huff is under contract for three additional seasons at a bargain for a guy with his productivity – he is scheduled to count $2.35 million toward the 2025-2026 cap, and $2.68 million in 2026-2027, with a $3 million club option for 2027-2028.
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Chris Graham
