Jay Huff nearly signed with Olimpia Milano before joining Grizzlies
Jay Huff almost went a different direction this year. He was in talks with the Euro League club Olimpia Milano. His free agency decision was between that and Memphis. “We were pretty close (with Olimpia Milano),” he said. “We talked to them. Really liked them. Still do. Their head coach is awesome. Ettore Messina, he’s the man. So we were close. Living in Milan would have been fun. And I know plenty of guys that have gone overseas that should be in the NBA right now. It’s all about fit and opportunity.”
Source: Denver Post
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Huff will enjoy the increased job security. And the increased free time he hopes to have next summer. “The main thing is just more of a feeling of stability, even though trades can still happen and all that,” he said. “It’s not like I’d be out of a job if they were like, ‘Eh, we’re gonna move on tomorrow, so pack your stuff up.’ Which, on a two-way, that is what it is. That’s the life you sign up for. So it is nice to have that. But other than that, life’s still pretty similar.” -via Denver Post / November 24, 2024
And that’s how it went for Pippen too. As a rookie, he signed a two-way deal with the Lakers but only got minutes in six blowouts. At the same time, he was a dynamic scorer with the South Bay Lakers, though questions about his size at 6 feet 1 limited his ceiling in the eyes of some. “South Bay was great for my development,” he said. “I was able to go down there, play through my mistakes play with other guys that are playing at this level. So I definitely enjoyed my time. Credit to my coaches, the staff over there, I felt it pretty much prepared me for this.” -via Los Angeles Times / November 7, 2024
In Memphis, Huff got what every player in his situation could want: the right chance at the right time. He’s averaging 9.9 points and making 53.6% from three-point range while playing in every game. “Timing and situation,” Huff said. “There are guys that are overseas right now that if they were in a different set, different situation, at a different time, they’d be in the NBA right now. … If given the right opportunity, I think there’s a lot of guys like that. Yeah. That’s just how it goes.” -via Los Angeles Times / November 7, 2024
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Jay Huff nearly signed with Olimpia Milano before joining Grizzlies
