Most of Jay Huff's field goal attempts with the Memphis Grizzlies last year were beyond the arc, but it was warranted because of his efficiency. As he prepares to take on a bigger role with the Indiana Pacers next season, the team must decide if they want to let him shoot even more threes or if he should develop as an inside-the-arc threat to add more versatility to his and the team's offense.
Huff is now on his fifth team in as many seasons. He has struggled to find his footing in the NBA, but after his solid performance last season, that could soon change as he prepares to take on a major role in his first season in Indiana.
Recently, Tony East of the Locked On Pacers podcast noted that most of Huff's field goal attempts were from three-point land by a wide margin. Furthermore, East noted that, while the Pacers could allow him to do more of the same next year, they still have to decide if that is going to be in their best interest.
"Jay Huff took a lot of threes last year...Of his shots, 65.6% of them came from three. He took 11 threes in one game last year. Per 36 minutes, he took 9.6 threes...That's a ton. And he should shoot a lot of threes because he's a good shooter. He made over 40% of them...Is that the best thing for the Pacers for that to be 10 [three-point field goal attempts per game] or does he need to go inside the arc more often and find the right volume?" East said.
As the Pacers look to replace Myles Turner, who joined the Milwaukee Bucks as a free agent in the offseason, they will likely rely heavily on Huff to help them usher in a new era. Because of this, the Virginia alum could be in line for a career year, and that should get Pacers fans excited.
There is a lot to like about Jay Huff's fit with the Pacers
Huff is not a flashy name, and fans would be forgiven if they hadn't even heard of him before Indiana acquired him in July. Even so, the 27-year-old provides a lot of intrigue to the Pacers, and it would not be a surprise if he becomes the team's starting center at some point.
While it remains to be seen if he can do it at as high a level, one of Huff's most appealing traits is that his skillset closely resembles Turner's. Both big men can stretch the floor, protect the rim, and run the length of the court. Because of this, it could be the right call for Indiana to rely on him heavily, especially right out the gate, as they look to transition to the post-Turner era as seamlessly as possible.
As it stands, the Pacers are expected to run a committee at center instead of relying on one player to replace their former long-time big man. In addition to Huff, the team will also utilize Isaiah Jackson, James Wiseman, and potentially Tony Bradley, whose future in Indiana is up in the air. The Pacers have reasons to be intrigued by the other three big men, but on paper, Huff may be the best fit for the team, especially next season.
Indiana has a lot of questions to answer next season, and Huff is the subject of some of the biggest ones. It is unlikely that he will immediately play at an All-Star level next season, but fans should still be excited about what he brings to the table. After all, the Pacers' center situation is still murky, and there is a chance that Huff eventually establishes himself as the team's next starter following Turner's departure.