Report: Grizzlies trade C Jay Huff to Pacers.

## ⚙️ Trade Overview

 

On **July 5, 2025**, the Memphis Grizzlies agreed to send **center Jay Huff** to the **Indiana Pacers**. In return, Memphis receives:

 

* A **2029 second‑round pick** (originally from Portland),

* Plus a **second‑round pick swap** (in 2031) ([hoopsrumors.com][1]).

 

The deal was officially confirmed via an Indiana Pacers post on July 6 , and first broke through ESPN’s Shams Charania ([si.com][2]).

 

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## 📊 Player Profile: Jay Huff

 

* **Height/Type**: 7-foot-1, regarded as a stretch‑5 with three‑point range.

* **Shooting**: Hit 40.5% from three-point line on roughly 3.1 attempts per game last season ([reuters.com][3]). One of only **three** seven-footers to shoot ≥40% from deep with 200+ attempts (joining Karl‑Anthony Towns and Kristaps Porziņģis) ([espn.com][4]).

* **Efficiency**: Shot 51.5% from the field and 78.6% from free throw line in 11.7 minutes per game during 64 games played.

* **Per-Minute Production**: Averaged 6.9 pts, 2.0 rebs, 0.9 blocks per game, translating to 21.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.7 blocks per 36 minutes ([si.com][5]).

* **Defense**: Ranked 24th in field-goal percentage allowed at the rim among players contesting ≥300 shots; blocked 2.7 shots per 36 and won the 2023 G‑League Defensive Player of the Year ([espn.com][4]).

* **Contract**: Four‑year deal worth \~\$10 million; next season pays approx. \$2.3 million, \$2.7 million in 2026‑27, with a \$3 million player option in final year ([hoopsrumors.com][1]).

 

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## 🧩 Fit with the Pacers

 

### Filling the Void:

 

* The move addresses the gap left by **Myles Turner**, who departed Indiana for Milwaukee on a four-year, \$107 million deal ([si.com][6]).

* Pacers landing Huff ensures they have a floor-spacing center behind Isaiah Jackson and Tony Bradley, with Thomas Bryant also a free agent still on the radar ([si.com][6]).

 

### Strategic Move:

 

* Analysts see this as a **low-risk, high-reward addition**.

 

> “Jay Huff is the picture perfect low risk swing… Good 3PT shooter. Good shot blocker. Lob threat.” — @Pacers enjoyer (

> “I think the Indiana Pacers got an absolute steal … Under contract for the next 3 seasons, averaging less than \$3M/yr” — @athleticism ([si.com][5]).

 

* Offense-oriented Pacers, accustomed to quality depth, view Huff as a savvy analytical add with upside if given more minutes ([8points9seconds.com][7]).

 

### System Fit:

 

* Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo praised Huff’s spacing and simplicity, aspects that align with Pacers coach Rick Carlisle’s style ([espn.com][4]).

 

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## 🏀 Memphis Perspective

 

### Asset Management:

 

* For an undrafted player turned rotation piece, Memphis turned Huff into future assets — two second-round picks – a solid return ([cbssports.com][8]).

 

### Frontcourt Restructure:

 

* Memphis quickly pivoted, signing **Jock Landale** to fill the frontcourt ([espn.com][4]), indicating a strategic refresh at the center position.

 

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## 🧠 Advanced Insights

 

* **Floor-Spacer Profile**: Rare stretch big with 40%+ three-point shooting — valuable in today’s spacing-first NBA .

* **Rim Protection**: Not huge rebounder, but shot-blocking and vertical defense give teams flexibility with fewer fouls .

* **Per-Minute Indicators**: His high per-36 metrics hint at hidden upside, especially if roles or minutes increase ([si.com][5]).

* **Affordable Depth**: His cap-friendly contract helps Indiana maintain financial flexibility.

 

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## 📈 Potential Impact

 

* **In Indiana**: Offers shooting and rim protection off the bench. If given bigger role, could stabilize Pacers’ frontcourt and provide matchup advantages.

* **In Memphis**: The received picks may fund future moves, while Landale fits better with a physical, screening style.

 

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## ❓ Key Questions Ahead

 

1. **Role and minutes**: Will Huff play behind Jackson/Bradley, or leap to starter?

2. **Development curve**: Can he evolve into a true floor spacing big or will production stagnate?

3. **Pacers’ depth strategy**: Will they pursue bigger names or other back-ups at center and backup guard?

 

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## 🌐 Career Trajectory

 

* **Undrafted in 2021**, Huff has flown under the radar through G League success and two-way contracts with Lakers, Wizards, Nuggets .

* With Grizzlies, he nailed a standard NBA contract and produced career-best numbers in 2024‑25 .

* At age 27, he enters his physical prime—this trade offers his best shot at sustained rotation minutes .

 

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## 📝 Summary

 

The **Jay Huff to Pacers** trade is strategic, lightweight, and loaded with potential. Indiana replaces Turner not with another star, but a complementary piece better suited to spacing and efficiency. Memphis trades a bench rotation player for future capital to recalibrate its frontcourt.

Huff now lands in a position to flourish. If he seizes the opportunity, the Pacers may gain a stretch-blocking center whose hidden per-minute value becomes an everyday role. And if he doesn’t, the financial cost was minimal compared to riskier moves. Either way, the trade reflects savvy asset management and future-minded roster building.