Prior to the hiring of the team's new front office regime of general manager Will Dawkins and President of Monumental Basketball Michael Winger, the Washington Wizards hadn't created the best reputation for talent recognition.
Between botched draft picks of players like Johnny Davis, the decision to move on from of a talent like Ryan Rollins and several instances where the team failed to capitalize on trade value when they had the opportunity, Washington's previous regime made plenty of mistakes.
On Friday night, the team was given yet another reminder of a previous mistake that is quietly becoming one the team could look back on and regret.
Jay Huff showed out against the Wizards
In the Wizards 131-118 win over the Indiana Pacers on Friday, Washington got the chance to see a glimpse of yet another former player show out on an opposing team.
That player? Jay Huff.
Huff has quietly impressed throughout the start of this season, averaging 8.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists, while shooting 46.7% from field goal range and 31.3% from three.
In only 20 minutes per game, the Virginia product has looked like a major steal for Indiana, who landed the 7-foot-1 big man at an extremely discounted price this offseason in a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, who's frontcourt was seemingly too crowded for the 28-year-old to get any opportunities.
In fact, the big man has played so well this season, Indiana has found themselves in position where on some nights to keep their NBA Draft Lottery dreams alive, the team has been forced to limit Huff's time on the floor.
And Friday night's performance against the Wizards showed exactly why.
Huff put his talent on full display in the Pacers' recent loss to the Wizards, posting 22 points, two assists and a rebound, while shooting 72.7% from field goal range and draining five of his eight attempts from beyond the arc.
Obviously, with Ivica Zubac now being viewed as the center of the future, Huff isn't considered to be a future starter for the Pacers when fully healthy.
Still, Indiana has found an extremely quality backup big that the team can rely on when they return to playoff form next season.
For a Wizards team who could use the depth in the front court, Huff's emergence is yet another bizarre development considering the team rostered the versatile 7-footer during the 2022-23 season on both the active roster and Capital City Go-Go.