One of the more unappreciated players on one of the more underappreciated teams, Utah Jazz big man Derrick Favors quietly played an instrumental role as the team’s starting power forward all season.
The 26-year-old Favors is set to hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent this offseason and as one of the important young pieces on this Jazz team, Utah can’t afford to let him walk. Favors also recently spoke with Salt Lake Tribune’s Tony Jones and expressed that he hopes to remain with the team:
“I want to be here,” Favors told The Salt Lake Tribune in an interview on Saturday night. “I love my teammates, I love the organization. This is where I grew up. At the same time, I know that if I’m going to be here, there are certain sacrifices that I’m going to have to make. So, I just have to wait and see how things work out when the time comes.”
“I want to be an even better player,” Favors said. “I know what I have to work on.”
Though a lot of his solid play was overshadowed by the meteoric rise of rookie Donovan Mitchell, Derrick Favors was one of the most consistent facets of the team. He started in all 77 appearances he made this season and provided a solid offensive option alongside the stout interior presence of Rudy Gobert.
However, his contract situation could be a bit tricky to maneuver around. After originally signing a 4 year, $47 million contract with Utah, Favors is due for a raise but it remains to be seen how much the Jazz are willing to dish out for a player who doesn’t fit in many small ball lineups and often was on the bench down the stretch.
Favors value is unquestionable for this Utah team but with the NBA continuing to boast faster paced, smaller lineups, traditional bigs such as Favors are continuing to become marginalized. Either way, Derrick Favors should be in line for his payday, whether it be in Utah like he wants, or elsewhere.
