The Los Angeles Lakers let Jay Huff get away before his breakout season. Now he could be available for a return, a move the Lakers would be smart to pull off.
Seven footers who can block shots and shoot from outside are a rare commodity in the NBA. Jay Huff had the rough outline of such a player when he came into the league, but concerns about his athleticism and overall skill level relegated him to the G League after he went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft.
The Lakers saw the outline of a good player in Huff, signing the former Virginia Cavaliers champion to a two-way contract. He spent extended time with the South Bay Lakers over the next couple of seasons, but the Lakers never gave him an official call-up.
The Lakers cut Huff loose
Eventually, he was waived by the Lakers in 2022 and he began his journey around the league. He was briefly with the Washington Wizards, the Denver Nuggets, the Memphis Grizzlies and most recently the Indiana Pacers.
The Grizzlies oversaw his breakout in his third season; he played in 64 games for the Grizzlies and was efficient and impactful on a per-minute basis. In particular, he was one of the league leaders in block rate, and when you can demonstrate at least one NBA skill you have a shot to make it in the league.
Memphis sold off Huff for the price of a pair of second-round picks, trying to sell high in case Huff’s season turned out to be a flash-in-the-pan. Huff landed with the center-needy Indiana Pacers and proceeded to play all 82 games despite their tanking season.
Huff shattered his career best marks in nearly every category, playing the most minutes of his career and unsurprisingly setting new career marks in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. Playing in every game, Huff’s 153 blocks were second only to VIctor Wembanyama leaguewide.
Jay Huff could return
Jay Huff is on a bargain deal over the next two seasons, making only 5.7 million over the next two seasons combined. Yet Pacers expert Elie Deglaoui predicts that Jay Huff could be moved on in a trade this summer, freeing up a roster spot on the Pacers after they traded for Ivica Zubac as their center of the future.
If Huff hits the open market, the Lakers should pick up the phone. Their center position has been a disaster, and while Huff isn’t bringing shot creation or scheme versatility on defense, he is a useful player. He would bring shot-blocking they haven’t had in years, and give Luka Doncic a pick-and-pop partner.
With Austin Reaves heading for a payday and plenty of big time free agency plans, the Lakers could use a rotation player on a bargain deal. Huff can’t swoop in and revolutionize their frontcourt, but he can be an excellent backup center for a team that needs multiple answers at the position.
Once they let Jay Huff get away. Now they can right their wrong and bring him back.
Add us as a preferred source on Google