The Indiana Pacers lost starter Miles Turner to Milwaukee this offseason, creating uncertainty in the depths of the frontcourt.
The organization faces questions about replacing Turner’s production while addressing concerns about Tyrees Halliburton’s injury from the final run.
The Indiana Pacers arrived in the NBA Finals, falling into the Oklahoma City Thunder, with Halliburton injured in a decisive game 7.
Turner’s departure for the Bucks exacerbates the offseason challenges in search of a suitable replacement.
But hope has already emerged through unexpected sources on the roster. Jay Huff created excitement through virus training footage showing him potential as Turner’s successor.
The 26-year-old center brings an interesting combination of size, shooting ability and defensive instinct that can move forward towards Indiana’s frontcourt needs.
Social media footage from Huff’s workout sessions has become a hot topic among Pacer fans and players. The video highlighted his improved conditioning, dunking ability and three-point shooting range.
Tyreese Halliburton responded to the viral content with a simple “shit” voice that expressed enthusiasm for the development of his new teammates and conveyed excitement about Huff’s progress.
ESPN host Pat McAfee was involved in Halliburton’s response, amplifying the debate by posting “Jayhuff’s Tough Blue” on social media, further spreading awareness of the center’s improved skills.
The virality of the training footage reflects growing expectations about Huff’s expanded role with the Pacers. As Indiana navigates Turner’s absence, his development could provide a critical frontcourt depth.
Huff appeared in 64 Grizzlies games last season, averaging 6.9 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 11.7 minutes per contest.
His limited role limited statistical production, but revealed promising shooting efficiency.
The center connected at 40.5% of his three-point attempts, indicating the floor spacing ability Turner provided to Indiana. His boundary shooting opens up offensive possibilities that traditional centers cannot offer.
Huff’s shooting rate was ranked among the better marks of centers attempting a massive volume of three points.
This skill set is perfectly in line with the latest NBA attack systems that prioritize spacing and versatility, including Rick Carlisle’s systems.
Huff entered the NBA as an undrafted player for the 2021 class and began his professional career with the Lakers before stopping in Washington, Denver and Memphis.
Most of his early career was involved in G-League development, where he was defensive and gained recognition for his shot-blocking abilities.
Huff won the Defensive Player of the Year honor in 2023 at Capital City Go-Go after leading the league with 4.0 blocks per game.
His defensive instincts were translated from a university in Virginia. He was developed under Tony Bennett’s system, which emphasized team defense and positioning awareness.
The NBA defense presents a greater challenge than the G-League competition, but if Huff’s shot-blocking instincts and offensive aspects improve along the way, he could be a big part of the Pacers’ rotation.