NBA: 15 players looking to shed injury-prone label in 2017-18

6. Derrick Favors

Derrick Favors is one of the few players on this list who will be an unrestricted free agent once the 2017-18 season ends, so it’s pretty obvious what’s on the line for him. With Gordon Hayward gone and his fit alongside Rudy Gobert being so awkward on the offensive end, it’s almost certain he’ll be parting ways with the Utah Jazz soon — either via trade or free agency.

The manner of his departure depends on how the Jazz fare without Hayward as the trade deadline approaches, but Favors’ health will be the biggest factor. Last season he missed 32 games and was a shell of his former self, averaging 9.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game for the season.

Compared to the season prior, when he put up 16.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game as a fringe All-Star candidate despite missing another 20 games, it became clear Favors’ place in this league was diminishing. Though he’s still a stout defender, Favors needs to put together a strong 2017-18 campaign to reestablish his value.