Lakers agree to two-way contract with Jay Huff

The Los Angeles Lakers announced on Monday that they had come to an agreement on a two-way contract with Jay Huff, who went undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft in June.

He replaces Lakers camp cut Joel Ayayi, and the team now has filled both its two-way contracts (they still have an open 15th roster spot, as two-way contracts don’t count against the regular roster). Ironically, Ayayi was reportedly claimed off waivers by the Wizards on Sunday, just a few days removed from Washington waiving Huff from their training camp roster.

Huff — who is listed at 7’1” — spent four seasons at Virginia, earning Second Team All-ACC honors while also being named to the ACC All-Defensive team. As a floor-spacing big man, averaged 13.0 points and 7.1 rebounds while shooting 58.5% from the field and 38.7% from the 3-point line in his senior season.

After going undrafted in June, Huff signed with the Wizards for Summer League where he played in four games in Las Vegas, averaging 4.5 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks per game in 17.7 minutes per contest. Huff did not make a 3-pointer in eight attempts and shot just 31.8% from the field.

Still, Huff joined the Wizards on an Exhibit 10 contract during training camp where he played in a pair of preseason games but totaled only six minutes of action and failed to score in either appearance.

On paper, Huff provides a skill set in a big man that the Lakers don’t have on the roster in a floor-spacing center. However, based on his Summer League and preseason production, it seems unlikely that he will play a significant role with the Lakers’ main roster. Instead, in seems more probable that Huff will spend most of his time with the South Bay Lakers this season, offering that roster some size, defense and spacing.

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