The Indiana Pacers achieved as much roster stability as they could manage between the 2024-25 and 2026-27 seasons. With Tyrese Haliburton missing the entire 2025-26 campaign due to an Achilles tear, Indiana sought to ensure that he would return to a group he recognized—and potentially pick up where he left off when he led the team to the 2025 NBA Finals.
One of the biggest roster losses from Haliburton's last healthy season, however, could prove challenging to replace: Myles Turner. Thankfully, Jay Huff could create a degree of continuity.
In no way is the argument here that Huff can play the same number of minutes or make an identical impact to what Turner brought to the table. What he can do, however, is create stylistic familiarity on the practice court and ultimately in games.
Much like Turner, Duff is an excellent shot-blocker and a skilled three-point shooter who can work the pick-and-pop and even the pick-and-roll with Haliburton.
Haliburton will still need to get used to new starter Ivica Zubac, who isn't exactly known for his jump shooting. Through 10 NBA seasons, Zubac has attempted 12 total threes—and hasn't recorded a single one since 2023-24.
As Haliburton learns his new teammates' tendencies, however, having Huff's familiar skill set to turn to should prove beneficial at the center position.
Tyrese Haliburton can run similar plays for Jay Huff as he did Myles Turner
Turner's offensive skill set was based primarily around his ability to space the floor and finish at the rim. During his final season with the Pacers, for instance, he averaged 15.6 points per game on .481/.396/.773 shooting. 40.0 percent of his field goals made were threes.
Another 35.9 percent of Turner's makes were within five feet of the rim and an additional 10.3 percent were midrange jumpers. For those keeping track, 86.2 percent of his conversions were jumpers or finishes at the rim.
Thankfully, Huff excels in a similar capacity. 40.9 percent of his conversions in 2025-26 were three-point field goals and 48.1 percent were within five feet of the rim. As a powerful finisher with one of the most exciting dunk packages in the NBA, he could make lob and pick-and-roll magic with Haliburton.
What rounds the similarities into form is that Huff can also act as a last line of defense along the interior after averaging 1.9 blocks per game and 3.2 blocks per 36 minutes—Turner-like production.
It must be reiterated that Duff is the backup center who will likely float around 20 minutes per game. Zubac, meanwhile, will be the starter and focal point at the position. As Haliburton adapts to an altered environment, however, having a teammate with a skill set he's used to playing with could prove invaluable.
The Pacers have done an excellent job of keeping their rotation generally consistent, but losing Turner will call on Huff to create the continuity Haliburton would benefit from as he gets back up to speed.
Add us as a preferred source on Google