When the coming season tips off, it's clear that Jay Huff is going to have a major opportunity on his hands. The big man has long desired a larger on-court role, and now it's looking like he's finally going to get it with this Indiana Pacers squad.
The timing of Huff's arrival in Indianapolis was always interesting to think about. Just one day after the Pacers traded with the Memphis Grizzlies and acquired him, Myles Turner signed with the Milwaukee Bucks and ended his long tenure with the team that drafted him. In doing so, he freed up a lot of minutes at the center position.
This is sort of the ideal scenario for Huff to find himself in. He signed a four-year deal in Memphis last October, which was his first multi-year deal in the NBA. That was step number one for him, with step number two being an increased role on the court. Now, he's seeing that come to light as well.
It's a big moment for a guy like Huff who has bounced around the league quite a bit since beginning his professional career. He spent time with the Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, Denver Nuggets, and Grizzlies without having much of a major role anywhere. That all changes now.
Jay Huff finds himself in an ideal spot with the Pacers
Huff's skillset really fits nicely with what Indiana is going to need in the wake of Turner's departure. He's going to bring a strong paint presence and be able to block shots and anchor the Pacers' interior defense in much of the same way Myles used to.
On top of that, he'll bring an element of floor-spacing like Turner did as well. If the results in the coming season are anything like they were last season for Jay where he shot 40.5% from three-point territory, Indiana is going to be in an excellent position.
Among the Pacers' current options at center — Huff, Tony Bradley and James Wiseman — Jay is likely the healthiest and most ready to make an immediate impact. Not to mention he's on an extremely team-friendly deal. Huff will make only $2.3 million this coming season, making him a very cost-effective solution. Should he play well, he'll quickly become one of the league's best-value contracts.
There's no doubt Huff has his work cut out for him as he prepares to enter into a potential big-minutes role. But this is what every player who begins their career on a two-way deal dreams of. If Jay proves he can deliver night in and night out, he could become a legitimate long-term starter.