Acquired C Jay Huff from Memphis in exchange for draft considerations.

Indiana's trade acquisition of Jay Huff from Memphis earns a C Contract Value Index (CVI), reflecting a modest bet on a depth piece at a reasonable price point that doesn't move the needle for a rebuilding roster. At $2.3M AAV over three years ($8M total), the contract is low-risk from a cap perspective—the kind of salary-floor filler that carries minimal consequences if the player doesn't develop or finds himself out of the rotation. Huff operates as a depth-caliber prospect rather than a proven contributor, meaning the Pacers are banking on upside potential rather than immediate production in a season where Indiana sits at 19-63 and has already ceded playoff positioning; the trade cost (draft considerations) suggests Memphis wasn't highly motivated to retain him, which should temper expectations. The CVI reflects fair value for what amounts to a low-salary flyer on a young big man—not a bargain, not an overpay, but a neutral transaction that preserves roster flexibility while adding organizational depth. With playoff elimination confirmed and a focus on development, this deal fits a team in genuine rebuild mode, though the three-year commitment means Huff will need to demonstrate NBA-caliber skills to justify the ongoing cap commitment beyond this season.