A lot of eyes will be on Jay Huff during his first year with the Indiana Pacers, and if he wants to establish himself as a potential long-term contributor, he must showcase his passing abilities.
Recently, Tony East of the Locked On Pacers Podcast spoke about Huff needing to showcase his passing abilities or improvements in order to have a "sizable" role in Indiana. Given how important ball movement is in Indiana's system, this one skill could be what separates the Virginia alum from the other centers in the mix.
"If Jay Huff's gonna play sizable minutes on the Pacers, he's got to be a better and more capable and willing passer. The Grizzlies did not require him to pass. I am not saying this is something he cannot do...But I wonder what that's going to look like. What's his ball movement and quick decision-making really going to lead to for him in the context of the Pacers needing him to maybe do fulcrumy stuff?" East said.
Following Myles Turner's departure in the offseason, the Pacers are in desperate need of finding a long-term center solution. They have a few guys who could prove to be that next season, but until it happens for sure, the Pacers need to monitor the situation.
Only time will tell if Huff can be that guy, but if he proves that he can be a good fit in Indiana's system, that should only bode well for him.
Jay Huff can have a breakout year in Indiana
Last year, Huff enjoyed a solid campaign in his only season with the Memphis Grizzlies. In 64 games, he averaged 6.9 points and 2 rebounds while shooting 51.5% from the field and 40.5% from beyond the arc in 11.7 minutes. It was a relatively small sample size, but Huff made it clear that he has talent and can contribute at the NBA level.
As the Pacers aim to navigate through life without Turner, they will likely call on Huff's number a lot. The only question, though, is how often?
Currently, the Pacers have four centers rostered. In addition to Huff, they also have Isaiah Jackson, James Wiseman, and Tony Bradley. All of these players provide value and intrigue, but it is safe to say that Huff has the most going for him.
What made Huff such an intriguing acquisition for the Pacers is how similar his skillset is to Turner's. He can stretch the floor, protect the rim, and run the court, which will be crucial in an offense as fast-paced as Indiana's. It remains to be seen if he can play at as high a level as the Pacers' former big man can, but if they want to go through a seamless transition, starting Huff may be the way to go.
Furthermore, it cannot be forgotten that Jackson and Wiseman are each fresh off season-ending Achilles injuries. On paper, there is a lot to like about both of them taking on an expanded role in Indiana. Plus, given that they are each younger than 25 years old, there are reasons to believe they can return to form after their injuries. However, it is still risky for Indiana to put too much pressure on them right away, which further adds to Huff's case on why he should be the team's main center going forward.
The Pacers are going to look very different next season, and it remains to be seen exactly how they handle what many are calling a "gap year." As Indiana looks to remain afloat, they will need Huff to step up, and if he does, he may establish himself as the team's official Turner replacement.