The Indiana Pacers are reportedly active in pursuing an upgrade at center by February's trade deadline. But the problem is, Jay Huff has been good and deserves the rest of the season to showcase his full value.
The Pacers should lean on Jay Huff for the rest of the season
He may never establish himself as a full-time, long-time starting center in Indiana. But based on the way he's played recently, Huff at least deserves a legitimate opportunity to prove himself.
The Virginia alum had a slow start to the season, averaging 5.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in his first 10 games while shooting 38.5% from the field and 25.7% from deep. Indiana brought Huff in to be a Myles Turner-lite, someone who can stretch the floor and protect the rim. Early on, he was leaving a lot to be desired in both of those areas, especially because he also looked too slow to make an impact with the Pacers.
However, Huff has looked very good in his recent games and is showing the Pacers that he can play at the level they believe he can.
In his last 10 games, the North Carolina native is averaging 10.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 3.4 blocks while shooting 48.1% from the field and 36.5% from beyond the arc. He has also taken Isaiah Jackson's job, starting each of the Pacers' last six games, and leads the NBA in blocks per game with 2.5.
Additionally, Huff looks a bit faster and much more comfortable in the team's system, particularly defensively. He's obviously protecting the rim at an elite level, but he's also becoming much more switchable and is making quicker rotations.
This may be his peak, but the 27 (or 28, depending on which site you look at)-year-old is doing exactly what the Pacers wanted him to do when they acquired him from the Memphis Grizzlies in the offseason. He's stretching the floor and protecting the rim while also quietly outplaying the guy he's looking to replace.
It also can't be ignored that he's doing all of this without Tyrese Haliburton, the engine of Indiana's offense. The two-time All-NBA guard elevates everybody he plays with, especially the center, because of his elite playmaking, facilitating, and decision-making. In theory, Huff should only continue to get better from here, especially once he plays alongside Haliburton.
Huff is never going to be an All-Star, but Turner wasn't that either, and they still made it to the NBA Finals last season. It seems like the momentum is finally moving in his direction, and it would only be fair for the Pacers to give him the rest of the season and either prove he's a backup at best or that he is exactly what they need to make another run at the championship.