Utah Jazz: 3 players most likely to be traded in 2018-19

1. Derrick Favors

Although the Jazz re-signed Derrick Favors to a two-year, $37.6 million contract this summer, it doesn’t seem management is fully committed to him in the future. The second year of the agreement is non-guaranteed, making him a potential hot commodity on the trade market.

Trade rumors have swirled around Favors over the past year. Last January, Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune reported a rumored trade that moved him to Chicago for Nikola Mirotic.

"“Utah is engaged in talks with the Chicago Bulls on a deal that would bring power forward Nikola Mirotic to Utah. Jazz forward Derrick Favors has been discussed as a potential piece that would go to Chicago, according to multiple sources.”"

Obviously, the potential deal fell apart when Mirotic was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans. However, the fact that Utah was willing to part with one of the franchise’s cornerstone players is telling.

The frontcourt duo of Favors and Rudy Gobert might not work for the long haul. Though they outscored opponents by 8.6 points per 100 possessions when on the court together last year, in a league where teams are transitioning to elite 3-point shooters surrounded by a big man in the paint, the Jazz lineup with Favors and Gobert is the last of a dying breed.

His numbers have declined drastically the past two seasons, and are even worse when playing alongside the French big man. Favors averages 12.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per 36 minutes when Gobert is on the court. When he is resting on the bench, Favors’ averages jump to 17.1 points and 9.5 rebounds per 36 minutes.

Gobert is entering the second year of a four-year, $102 million contract, and it’s clear he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. At 27 years old and in the prime of his career, Favors has plenty to offer a playoff contender in need of a traditional power forward. If he doesn’t pan out in 2018-19, the team could pull the trigger on a deal involving him before the February deadline.