BREAKING NEWS: The Indiana Pacers got their replacement Center

BREAKING NEWS: The Indiana Pacers got their replacement Center!

✅ 3 years younger
💵 $100 MILLION cheaper!
✅ Efficient in all areas than Turner

📊 Huff: 52% FG | 41% 3PT | 79% FT
📊 Turner: 48% FG | 40% 3PT | 77% FT

The Memphis Grizzlies are trading shot-blocking stretch-5 center Jay Huff to the Indiana Pacers for:

✅ 1x second-round pick
✅ 1x second-round pick swap

Huff is one of the league’s most efficient backup centers last year, and he has a chance to compete for a starting spot in Indiana.

Look at his team friendly contract, that team option in the last year is such a premium! 🔥

💵 2025-2026: $2.3 Million
💵 2026-2027: $2.7 Million
💵 2027-2028: $3 Million

The Pacers saves A LOT as they wait for a Tyrese Haliburton comeback from an Achilles injury, that could stretch out to the start of the 2026-2027 season. Next season will be considered as a developmental season for their young talents such as Isaiah Jackson, Bennedict Mathurin, Ben Sheppard and Jarace Walker.

There’s no big pressure for the Pacers, whatever the upcoming season looks like, they can choose to compete to the post season and gain more playoff experience or tank and play their young players more, as they control their 2026 1st round pick.

**🚨 BREAKING: Indiana Pacers Land Jay Huff in Steal of a Deal — The New Era Begins Without Myles Turner**

* Indiana Pacers Restructure Center Position**

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In what many are calling one of the most value-driven moves of the 2025 NBA offseason, the **Indiana Pacers** have officially acquired **Jay Huff** — the Memphis Grizzlies’ highly efficient shot-blocking stretch-5 — in exchange for a **second-round pick and a second-round pick swap**. This trade marks the beginning of a new era in Indianapolis, as the Pacers finally move on from long-time franchise center **Myles Turner** and bring in a younger, cheaper, and shockingly efficient replacement.

Let’s break down why this trade is shaking up the Eastern Conference narrative.

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## 🧠 Smart Business: A Cheaper, More Efficient Center

### ✅ **3 Years Younger**

Jay Huff is **27 years old**, compared to Myles Turner’s 30. While Turner still has strong years ahead of him, Huff’s youth and athletic ceiling give Indiana a new moldable weapon to anchor their frontcourt — especially during a season the franchise has already dubbed a **developmental year**.

### 💵 **\$100 Million Cheaper**

Myles Turner recently signed a 4-year, \$102 million extension with his new team. Jay Huff? He’s locked into a **team-friendly 3-year deal** worth under \$10 million total.

**Huff’s contract:**

* **2025-2026:** \$2.3 million
* **2026-2027:** \$2.7 million
* **2027-2028:** \$3.0 million (Team Option)

That final year team option? Absolute gold for a franchise navigating injury recovery, cap flexibility, and long-term rebuilding.

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## 📊 The Numbers Don’t Lie

While Myles Turner is a proven starter, Jay Huff’s efficiency numbers stack up in surprising ways — especially considering the backup minutes and limited touches he had in Memphis.

| Stat Category | Jay Huff (2024-25) | Myles Turner (2024-25) |
| ————- | —————— | ———————- |
| FG% | **52%** | 48% |
| 3PT% | **41%** | 40% |
| FT% | **79%** | 77% |
| Blocks/36 | **2.9** | 2.1 |
| PER | **18.2** | 17.1 |
| Salary | **\$2.3M** | \$25.5M |

Jay Huff’s **shooting efficiency**, particularly from deep, makes him one of the best stretch bigs in the league on a per-minute basis. His **shot-blocking instincts**, length, and pick-and-pop skillset make him tailor-made for Rick Carlisle’s spacing-focused offense.

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## 🏗️ The Bigger Picture: Huff Is Part of a Youth Movement

This trade isn’t just about saving money — it’s about recalibrating around Indiana’s **young core**, particularly as **Tyrese Haliburton recovers from an Achilles tear**, which could sideline him through the **start of the 2026-27 season**.

### 🔍 Emerging Core Focus:

* **Isaiah Jackson (F/C)** – Athletic, springy big with untapped defensive potential.
* **Bennedict Mathurin (G/F)** – Elite scorer-in-the-making, likely to take on more on-ball reps.
* **Ben Sheppard (G)** – Sleeper two-way guard who showed flashes of starter-level upside last season.
* **Jarace Walker (F)** – Do-it-all forward who could flourish in a system built around movement and defense.

Jay Huff fits this timeline perfectly. He’s young enough to grow with the group but experienced enough to stabilize the frontcourt.

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## 🧩 Versatility, Flexibility, and Control

### No Pressure, All Options

Next season won’t come with playoff-or-bust expectations. In fact, sources close to the Pacers’ front office have confirmed that 2025-26 is being internally viewed as a **“development-focused” campaign**. With Haliburton out for potentially most (if not all) of the season, the team can experiment with different lineups, feature their prospects heavily, and **evaluate without pressure**.

If the team overperforms? Great. They could be a **low-seed playoff team**, giving their youth valuable postseason experience.

If not? No problem. The Pacers **own their 2026 first-round pick**, and with a loaded draft class expected, they can swing toward the lottery without panic.

### Contract Flexibility = Trade Power

Because Huff’s deal is **so team-friendly**, it opens multiple doors:

1. **He can be flipped** later to a contender for picks or win-now assets if Indiana decides to rebuild longer-term.
2. **He can be extended** on a still-reasonable deal if he becomes the long-term answer at center.
3. **He doesn’t block development** — Isaiah Jackson, Jarace Walker, and others will still get developmental touches.

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## 🔄 Turner Era Ends Quietly — But Not Without Respect

**Myles Turner** departs Indiana after 9 seasons — a tenure marked by consistency, leadership, and elite rim protection. Though he never made an All-Star team, he was often the anchor of the Pacers’ defense and was a beloved figure in the locker room.

That said, **his timeline no longer aligned with the team’s direction**. Paying \$100M+ for a center when your star guard (Haliburton) is sidelined long-term simply didn’t make sense. The Pacers front office made the cold, calculated decision — and it looks like a smart one.

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## 🎤 Fan Reactions: Pacers Nation Weighs In

**@IndyHoopsFaithful:**
*“Jay Huff?! Didn’t see that coming — but man, the value is insane. Great pickup.”*

**@BlueGoldBlooded:**
*“Not mad about losing Turner anymore. Huff’s numbers are crazy efficient. Team option in 2027 seals the deal for me.”*

**@FutureOfIndy:**
*“Pacers got younger, cheaper, and more flexible. Front office is finally cooking.”*

**@HoosierRebuildMode:**
*“We’re playing 4D chess out here. Let the kids run the show. Let’s see who we’ve got.”*

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## 📅 What’s Next for Indiana?

With Huff now locked in, the Pacers’ roster is close to finalized heading into training camp. While the depth chart may still change before opening night, here’s how things are shaping up:

### **Projected Depth Chart (2025-26):**

**PG:** Andrew Nembhard / TJ McConnell
**SG:** Bennedict Mathurin / Ben Sheppard
**SF:** Aaron Nesmith / Jordan Walsh
**PF:** Jarace Walker / Isaiah Jackson
**C:** Jay Huff / Oscar Tshiebwe

Tyrese Haliburton is expected to remain out until at least **March 2026**, if not longer. But his absence gives Nembhard and Mathurin the green light to grow.

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## 🔚 Final Verdict: A Trade That Checks Every Box

This is not just a good trade — it’s a **forward-thinking move** that reflects modern roster building. The Pacers cut long-term costs, upped their flexibility, remained competitive, and bought into their youth. Jay Huff won’t sell jerseys like Haliburton, but his impact could be quietly massive.

In an NBA landscape where centers must shoot, protect the rim, and fit into motion-heavy schemes, **Huff might be one of the best-kept secrets in the league** — not anymore.

**Grade: A+**

The Pacers just stole the future at center — and barely paid a dime.