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Utah Jazz 2016-17 season review: Derrick Favors

By Adam Coffman

Feb 28, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) shoots the ball over Oklahoma City Thunder forward Domantas Sabonis (3) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) shoots the ball over Oklahoma City Thunder forward Domantas Sabonis (3) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 12, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) looks to pass the ball against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) looks to pass the ball against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Moving Forward

Favors has one year left on the extension he signed in 2014, after which he’ll be an unrestricted free agent. Given the current salary cap state, he’s in line for a pay increase from his current salary of $11 million.

The Jazz will have other financial commitments weighing at that time, including Rudy Gobeert’s $96 million extension and possibly new contracts going out to Gordon Hayward, George Hill or Joe Ingles.

If the Jazz want to speed up the process, they could look to a find a home for Favors on the trade market, although it’s difficult to think of another team that would acquire him as a rental.

Related Story: Favors knows he could be traded soon

Starting Gobert next to Favors long-term could be a viable solution economically, but it does run contrary to the trends that the NBA is finding effective. The Jazz made efforts to stagger Favors and Gobert even while starting both this year, but that often led to one or the other being shortchanged playing time.

Digging into the lineup data reveals Favors to be slightly less-than-satisfactory operating as a lone big man with a combo forward playing the 4 next to him. This season, the duo of Gobert and Joe Johnson had a +10.0 net rating, while Favors and Johnson posted a -1.4 value.

There’s a little bit of variability to these numbers – Favors was more apt to share the floor with bench units, for one, but the takeaways ring true nonetheless.

Even if he wants to play more center going forward (which will be the case wherever he goes), Favors should still focus on developing his shooting. Being able to nail a 10-foot jumper on pick-and-pops and face-up opportunities would make his offensive stock rise significantly.

Favors is certainly a talented player, but the fact that the Jazz were 18-14 in games he did not play in makes him a bit redundant for a team expecting to incur some expenses going forward.

Next: 2017 NBA Mock Draft: Final edition

Make sure to check back over the next few weeks as we review the seasons of more Utah Jazz players.

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