It took nearly a month, but the Memphis Grizzlies finally got in on the action of NBA Free Agency this past Wednesday, as they came to terms on a contract with tweener big, Jay Huff.
Agreeing to sign a two-way deal with the franchise, the former Virginia Cavaliers standout and reigning G League Defensive Player of the Year while serving as a member of the Grand Rapids Gold comes to Grind City with somewhat of an unproven resume at the NBA level but, in the eyes of Damichael Cole, a ton of intrigue.
On a recent episode of Locked on Grizzlies, the beat reporter expressed his excitement over seeing the 26-year-old signing with Memphis, arguing that "it gives them more variety."
Memphis Grizzlies reporter says Jay Huff brings team more "variety"
"The Grizzlies like optionality. You got Zach Edey. You got Brandon Clarke... You needed someone with a different skill set than all of those guys and Jay Huff is that guy," Cole said.
Jay Huff getting the bench off their feet 🗣 pic.twitter.com/ekiZN6r2Pr
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 7, 2024
From an offensive perspective, Huff is someone who can come in and stretch the floor to beyond the arc with his sound shooting stroke (boasts a 39.1 percent clip from deep through 31 NBA games and converted on 39.0 percent of his attempts from deep last season with the Grand Rapids Gold) while also having the ability to attack the rim with his underrated ball-handling skills and impressive size.
Speaking of his build, the big man measures in at a whopping 7-foot-1, 240 pounds, and uses this to his advantage on both ends of the floor, but particularly on the defensive end where he swatted 3.6 shots per night in the G League last year (the most at the development level).
Grizzlies fans have already gotten a taste of what Huff can provide on the basketball court this offseason, as he squared off against his new employers during a July 17 Summer League matchup while with the Orlando Magic where he dropped 18 points on 61.5 percent shooting from the floor and 50.0 percent shooting from deep. He would also swat 3 shots in nearly 18 minutes of action.
put in in reverse Jay💥 pic.twitter.com/42ijNsaxzd
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) July 18, 2024
Cole would continue on with his analysis of the signing of Huff by stating that while no one should expect the third-year pro to "set the world on fire" with his play, especially considering there's a real possibility he'll be spending the majority of the year in the development league, his addition seems to suggest that "clearly the Grizzlies want all their bigs to protect the rim."
"Whether it's a guy like Zach Edey who they just got, we know how they feel about Jaren Jackson Jr., and, of course, now with the J-Huff addition it signaling that that is an improved emphasis going into this upcoming season."