Jay Huff Might Already Be the Pacers’ Center of the Future - And He’s Earning It
The Indiana Pacers are in a bit of a transitional moment. After a gutsy run to the NBA Finals last season, they’re now navigating life without Myles Turner, who made a surprising jump to the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency. With Tyrese Haliburton still locked in as the face of the franchise and expected to return next season, the Pacers are treating this year as a reset - a chance to recalibrate and prepare for another deep run.
One of the biggest questions they need to answer during this so-called "gap year" is who will anchor the middle going forward. Turner’s departure leaves a significant hole at center, and the front office has been doing its due diligence.
Names like Anthony Davis (lightly), Ivica Zubac, and Daniel Gafford (more seriously) have been floated as potential trade targets. The Pacers have the assets to make a move if they want to - but maybe they don’t need to.
Because Jay Huff is making a compelling case that the answer is already in the building.
Huff Is Making His Presence Felt
Over the last couple of weeks, Huff has stepped into the starting center role and flat-out produced. In that stretch, he’s leading the entire league in blocks per game at 3.7 - a stat that jumps off the page.
He’s also shooting an efficient 53.7% from the field and knocking down nearly 40% of his threes. That’s not just solid production - it’s the kind of two-way impact that fits exactly what Indiana wants from its bigs.
Huff isn’t a household name, and there’s a reason he was available for next to nothing on the trade market last summer. But sometimes all a player needs is the right system and the right opportunity. And right now, Huff is showing he belongs.
He protects the rim, spaces the floor, and plays within himself. He’s not trying to be Jokic or Embiid - and the Pacers don’t need that.
What they need is someone who complements their stars and executes their system on both ends. Huff has been doing exactly that.
The Siakam-Huff Pairing Is Quietly Thriving
One of the most encouraging signs for Huff’s case as the long-term starter is how well he meshes with Pascal Siakam. Offensively, Huff’s ability to step out and shoot gives Siakam room to operate inside. Defensively, Huff anchors the backline, allowing Siakam to be more aggressive and disruptive on the perimeter.
The numbers back it up. On the season, Indiana has a -7.5 net rating.
But when Huff and Siakam share the floor, that number flips to +3.7, according to databallr.com. That’s a significant swing - and one that suggests Huff’s presence helps unlock a more balanced and effective version of this team.
The Cost-Controlled Advantage
Beyond the on-court performance, Huff brings another massive benefit: cost. He’s under contract for less than $6 million total over the next two seasons. That kind of value is rare in today’s NBA, especially at a position that often commands eight-figure salaries for starting-caliber players.
With Bennedict Mathurin due for a payday and other key extensions on the horizon, having a productive, starting-level center on a bargain deal gives Indiana flexibility. Instead of committing big money or draft capital to chase a marginal upgrade, the Pacers can allocate resources elsewhere - whether that’s adding wing depth, bolstering the bench, or maintaining cap space for future moves.
Timing Matters - And Huff Is Delivering Now
Could the Pacers still go out and trade for someone like Gafford or Zubac? Sure.
Both are solid, proven centers who would likely raise the floor of the team. But they’d come at a cost - and that cost may not be worth it right now.
This is a development year. Haliburton isn’t back yet.
The team isn’t all-in on a title push this season. So why not let Huff continue to grow into the role?
He’s producing, he fits the system, and he’s giving the front office a reason to pause before making any splashy moves.
There’s also the draft to consider. Indiana could very well use a first-round pick on a center next summer.
If that happens, having a low-cost, reliable option like Huff already in place gives them flexibility. They won’t be boxed in by a big-money veteran blocking a rookie’s development.
Let Huff Cook
Jay Huff isn’t the flashiest name on the roster. He’s not going to dominate highlight reels or headline trade rumors. But sometimes, the best move is the one you don’t make.
Right now, Huff is showing he can be a starting center in the NBA. He’s protecting the rim, spacing the floor, playing within the system, and helping the Pacers stay competitive during a transitional year. And he’s doing it all at a price that gives Indiana the kind of roster flexibility every front office dreams about.
So before the Pacers start dialing up trade calls or emptying the asset cupboard, they might want to take a longer look at what they already have. Because Jay Huff isn’t just filling in - he might be the long-term answer.