The round business of Indiana Pacers swapping Turner for Huff

Diego Jiménez Rubio | Tue, 12/02/2025 - 16:17

Jay Huff better than Turner on the Indiana Pacers. Photo: gettyimages

In the NBA, things happen that are hardly explainable and predictable, and one of them is the spectacular performance of Jay Huff with the Indiana Pacers and how he is turning the decision to part ways with Myles Turner into a historic success. The Indianapolis team has found a top-level center for a ridiculously low price.

Investing heavily in a player who was a fundamental part of the franchise's identity seemed logical, but the Indiana Pacers management did not see it as a clear decision to pay so much money to Myles Turner. The 29-year-old center was demanding over 100 million dollars for 4 years to stay, but the Pacers declined that option, also aware that this season would be a transition period due to Haliburton's injury.

A head-to-head per-36 comparison between Myles Turner and Jay Huff:

Turner: 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2 blocks, 57.6 TS%

Huff: 15.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 4.6 blocks, 56.8 TS%

The Bucks went all-in for Turner, while the Pacers decided not to pay him. pic.com/wC58xCrJxz
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) December 2, 2025

They did this fully convinced of the appropriateness of saving that money and seeking a replacement who, with a lower salary, could offer adequate performance. What no one expected was that Jay Huff would play such a complete and brilliant basketball on both ends of the court, surpassing the statistical numbers that Myles Turner is putting up with the Bucks. The Durham player is leading the league in blocks so far and is thrilling all Indiana Pacers fans. His quality-price level is unbeatable, considering he earns just over 2 million dollars. A real bargain.