Utah Jazz: 3 bold predictions for 2018-19 NBA season

1. Derrick Favors will be traded

Derrick Favors has been a member of the Utah Jazz the majority of his career. Acquired by the team via trade with the New Jersey Nets in 2010-11, he has been a key contributor and member of the starting lineup the past five seasons.

However, the 2018-19 season could be the final year he spends in Salt Lake City. Sure, he just re-signed for two years at $37.6 million, but the second year of the agreement is non-guaranteed. Utah has the option to waive him next summer, and the Jazz might not be committed to him long-term.

Favors and Gobert have formed a formidable frontcourt duo. However, he is abysmal from beyond the arc, shooting only 20.2 percent throughout his career. The Golden State Warriors have dominated the NBA with an up-tempo offense reliant upon 3-point shooting. With other teams copying the system, it’s unclear if a traditional frontcourt can compete long-term with the high-paced style of the league.

Favors is one of the faces of the franchise, and is an immensely popular player in Salt Lake City. If the Jazz struggle early in the season, or are unable to compete with elite teams, then a trade of Favors is possible. Although such a move would upset many of the Jazz faithful, if Utah can work out a deal to receive a stretch-4 that could improve the offense, it would allow them to compete with Golden State and Houston.