Jay Huff wanted playing time, and now he's getting it with the Indiana Pacers. And on top of that, despite a slow start, he's finally making the most of his opportunity and looks like a real asset.
The Pacers acquired Huff from the Memphis Grizzlies in the offseason after Myles Turner jumped ship to the Milwaukee Bucks. While this wasn't a blockbuster move, it was easy to see the appeal and be excited about the North Carolina native's arrival.
Like Turner, Huff is a stretch big who can shoot lights-out and protect the rim. However, he was rarely able to showcase his value in a consistent role.
Huff spent the first four years of his NBA career on as many teams. He played a combined 31 games in his first three seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, and Denver Nuggets before having a breakout season in Memphis last year.
The thing is, though, even in Memphis, Huff never had a stable role. He appeared in 64 games and even started two of them, but his playing time was inconsistent, and he averaged just 8.6 minutes in 34 games during the 2025 calendar year with the Grizzlies.
Fortunately for the Virginia alum, he is finally getting his opportunity in Indiana. And he is finally showing that he can be a legitimate contributor at the NBA level.
Jay Huff is playing great basketball for the Pacers
In his first 14 games as a Pacer, Huff averaged 5.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks while shooting 37.5% from the field and 26.5% from deep. Given that the biggest part of his appeal was his spacing and ability to knock down some threes, this was concerning, to say the least.
Plus, he didn't look good defensively. He was protecting the rim at a solid level, but that was about it. Huff looked too slow to make the switches and rotations necessary to fit in with the Pacers. He also looked lost at times and would often leave players open a little too often.
Fortunately for the Pacers, he has greatly turned things around is beginning to look as advertised.
In his last seven games, the 27-year-old is averaging 12.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 3.3 blocks. He is also shooting 50.8% from the field and 41.5% from deep while looking significantly more confident and valuable as a defensive anchor. (Fun fact: Huff is currently leading the NBA in blocks per game with 2.3).
On Tuesday, head coach Rick Carlisle praised Huff's performance and made it clear that he's a fan of what he brings to the table.
“He’s made great progress, and he’s a terrific kid. He’s certainly been a big part of it with his ability to stretch the floor," Carlisle said about Huff.
It remains to be seen what exactly is in store for Huff in Indiana. He is playing well right now, but the real question is whether he can take it up an additional level and prove that he can play a legitimate role in replacing Turner. Regardless, as it stands, he is playing his way into the Pacers' future, and there's a chance he is just getting started.