Jay Huff looked solid in a limited role last season, but fans still have no idea if he can contribute in a bigger capacity. Given how important he is going to be for the Indiana Pacers next year, this might become a big problem.
The Pacers acquired Huff from the Memphis Grizzlies after the team lost Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency, and by all accounts, this was a great move. Indiana got him for virtually nothing, and he provides a lot of intrigue. Most notably, his skillset is pretty similar to Turner's, which may only bode well for his future with the Pacers.
There is a lot to like about the Virginia alum and his fit in Indiana, but there is some cause for concern. And, with him being expected to take on a big role next season, things might not go as well as fans may hope.
Jay Huff will play a big role in Indiana's center-by-committee
With Turner no longer on the roster, the Pacers are going to look to replace him via a committee at center, which seems like the right idea early on.
Instead of committing to a one-for-one replacement for their former long-time big man, Indiana will utilize the skillsets of multiple big men to make up for his absence. In addition to Huff, the Pacers are expected to rely on Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman to step up and make an impact at center.
Nothing is official, but as it stands, it is safe to assume that Jackson will get the starting job. At least initially.
There is a lot to like about Huff on paper. He provides great size at 7-foot-1, he can run the floor, he can protect the rim, and he can stretch the floor. Everything that makes him stand out is exactly what made Turner so successful in Indiana, so there are reasons to believe that he may be able to replicate some of that success. However, the idea of Huff may be a lot better than the actual product, largely because it still remains to be seen exactly how much he can contribute.
The North Carolina native has played for four teams in as many seasons to begin his NBA career. Furthermore, before his breakout campaign with the Grizzlies last year, Huff had never played more than 20 games in one season. Furthermore, including last season, he has only logged double-digit minutes in 40 career games.
Huff has the potential to stand out in Indiana and establish himself as a legitimate contributor as the team looks to re-establish itself as a title contender. He has a unique skillset and could make the post-Turner era much easier for the Pacers to navigate. However, they are going to put a lot of trust in him, and it remains to be seen if this pressure makes or breaks him.