Indiana Pacers Replace Myles Turner with Jay Huff in Center Trade

The Indiana Pacers have moved to replace Myles Turner, who signed a four-year, $107 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, by adopting a center-by-committee strategy centered on Isaiah Jackson, Jay Huff, and Tony Bradley. The Pacers traded for Jay Huff from the Memphis Grizzlies, giving up a second-round pick and a pick swap, aiming to fill the void left by Turner’s departure. Huff, a 7-foot-1 center known for his defensive skills and three-point shooting, averaged 6.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in limited minutes last season and was the 2023 G League Defensive Player of the Year. While Huff is not expected to replicate Turner’s impact as a sole starting center, the Pacers hope his skillset can scale with increased playing time, providing depth at the position. Meanwhile, the Bucks see Turner as a valuable addition who can contribute similarly to former key player Brook Lopez, potentially enhancing their performance despite the loss of Damian Lillard to injury. The Pacers’ approach reflects a mix of strategic roster adjustments and hopeful development from less prominent players to address their defensive and interior scoring needs.