The Indiana Pacers have filled the void left by Myles Turner’s departure to Milwaukee by trading for 7‑foot‑1 stretch center Jay Huff, who was dealt to Indiana by Memphis for a pair of second-round picks and a pick swap, first reported by Shams Charania via ESPN. 

Huff, known for his 40.5% shooting from deep last season, immediately brings the spacing and rim protection the Pacers need.

In limited minutes with Memphis, Huff averaged 6.9 points, 2 rebounds, and nearly 1 block in just under 12 minutes per game. Indiana views him as a low-risk, high-upside addition with three years remaining on his $8 million contract. He’s expected to slot into the rotation immediately as their new primary center, as he plays similarly to Turner.

This move arrives on the heels of Turner signing a four-year, $107 million deal with Milwaukee, leaving the Pacers scrambling to reconstruct their frontcourt. While Huff won’t directly replicate Turner’s production, analysts regard the trade as a smart pivot – a cost-effective way to keep the roster balanced while maintaining cap flexibility, as well as Huff’s skillset directly correlates with that of Turner’s.

Indiana is also expected to target additional frontcourt support, with restricted free agent Isaiah Jackson recovering from an Achilles injury. For now, Huff provides a much-needed bridge in the post-platform, giving the team a modern big man who can stretch, rebound, and protect the rim.