Jay Huff was spending time with his wife and preparing to go out with friends Sunday when he got a call from Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman.

Huff was hoping this was the moment — the moment that escaped him while he was with the Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards and Denver Nuggets.

So was his wife, who anxiously listened in without trying to make too many facial expressions.

Then, Kleiman delivered the good news. Memphis was working on promoting Huff to a standard contract. The move was finalized Monday before the game against the Chicago Bulls at FedExForum.

"It's been really great," Huff said. "I just told (my wife) I'm enjoying going to work every day. I know that's not always the case. It's just really great to be able to know I'll be somewhere for a little while."

Huff, 27, who went undrafted, started with the Lakers in 2021 after a four-year collegiate career at Virginia. He played only four NBA games with Los Angeles. Then came the next season with the Wizards. Only seven NBA appearances. Last season, he played 20 games with the Nuggets.

Despite all the stops that included several G League trips, Huff, 7-foot-1 and 240 pounds, doesn't regret anything. He isn't out to prove to the previous teams that passed on him that they were wrong.

"God's put me where he's wanted me to be," he said. "Everywhere I've been, we've kind of realized I was there for a reason, and it may not have been basketball related.

"I'm incredibly grateful for the G League and the time I spent there. Without it, I probably wouldn't enjoy what I've been doing as much."

The other teams' loss has become the Grizzlies' treasure. Huff's two biggest skills are 3-point shooting and protecting the rim. Those happen to be two areas where the team needed help in the frontcourt.

His strong start to the season has resulted in trust from Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins. Huff has played more minutes than Grizzlies bigs Brandon Clarke and Zach Edey in each of the past two games.

Huff is averaging 12.2 points per game, 1.8 blocks and shooting 58.8% on 3-pointers through four games.

"I mean, I’ve really liked what Jay’s done in those moments there in the fourth quarter.," Jenkins said. "I was rolling with what I've seen in the first couple of games. Just the floor spacing and ball movement, quick decisions, (and his) playing on the perimeter."

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Off the floor, fans are still getting used to Huff. He's blending in with the crowds in public places. Well, blending in the best way a 7-footer possibly could.

Even when fans recognize Huff, he's often asked what team he used to play. While he says jokingly that those comments hurt him, he won't go unrecognized much longer now that he has found a sticking spot in Memphis.

"Since the first day he's been here, he's been a guy that has been great to be around," forward Santi Aldama said. "Just to have him here for the long run is something that we're going to benefit from, and of course he deserves it."

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Center Jay Huff on new contract, excitement joining Memphis Grizzlies