Derrick Favors appears to have found his comfort zone with the Utah Jazz, but he will have other attractive options to consider in 2018 NBA free agency.
While he has not performed up to the All-Star standards that NBA fans and media typically set for a No. 3 overall draft pick, Utah Jazz big man Derrick Favors has carved out a role for himself as a solid starter on a playoff team.
Now, for the first time in his pro career, Favors is a free agent. He fits in well with the Jazz and has expressed a desire to stay in Utah, but he also plans to take advantage of this opportunity explore other options.
Earlier this week, Favors spoke to ESPN‘s The Undefeated about his mindset going into 2018 NBA free agency.
"“I’m definitely excited about being a free agent for the first time and pretty much getting a chance to control my own destiny,” Favors said. “I’m just trying to find the right situation that makes sense for me as a player. Be in the right spot. Get a chance to showcase my talent. Get a chance to showcase what I can do. I’m just focused on finding the right situation that is the right fit for me.”"
This past season, Favors averaged 12.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game as Utah’s full-time starting power forward.
Favors shined in Utah’s first round playoff series upset of the Oklahoma City Thunder, shooting 61.7 percent from the field while posting the exact same scoring and rebounding averages he had during the regular season. In Game 2 of that series, Favors played perhaps his best game of the year, finishing with 20 points and 16 rebounds in a Jazz victory.
It wasn’t necessarily a star-making performance, but it put Favors in a good position heading into free agency. At 26 years old, listed at 6’10” and 265 pounds, he has proven himself as a productive member of a good team who can step up in big games.
Favors will draw a lot of interest on the market. Here are five potential landing spots for him in free agency.