In his first campaign outside of Utah since he was dealt there in his rookie season, Favors had a solid campaign with the Pelicans. The veteran averaged 9.0 points while reaching career highs in field-goal percentage (61.7), rebounds (9.8) and assists (1.6). He missed significant time, though, which has been a theme in his career, but it was mostly due to personal reasons in 2019-20. Favors' stint in New Orleans was brief, however, as the veteran signed a three-year, $29.2 million contract to return to the Jazz. Early reports have indicated that he'll be coming off the bench behind Rudy Gobert this time around, but he was seeing just 23.2 minutes per game during his final season with Utah anyway even though he was starting. That year, he averaged 11.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 assists -- numbers he could certainly hit again this time around. Assuming that's the case, Favors could be worth a pick around the 100 range in fantasy.
Favors was traded to the Pelicans in the offseason after nine seasons with the Jazz. The Pelicans could boast one of the better defensive units in the NBA, and Favors will anchor it with rookie Zion Williamson. Favors has little competition for playing time this season, with Jahlil Okafor and rookie Jaxson Hayes likely backing him up. Despite starting 70 games last season, Favors averaged just 23.2 minutes per game -- a six-year low. He's played the majority of his minutes at power forward, but Favors can play the five, too. He's slated to start at center this season, and an increase in playing time seems like a reasonable expectation. Favors averaged 18.3 points, 11.4 rebounds and 3.3 combined blocks/steals per 36 minutes in 2018-19. He's provided a steady source of rebounds and defense throughout his career, and he's usually good for double-digit points on top of that.
Despite some questions about the big man's durability and fit next to Rudy Gobert, Favors re-upped with the Jazz this summer on a two-year, $36 million contract. Since he became a full-time starter in 2013-14, Favors is averaging 67.2 games played per season. That's caused him to slip down draft boards year after year despite quality production when he's on the court. Last season, the 27-year-old recorded 12.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 blocks per game on 56.3 percent shooting. Favors was also able to record 15 double-doubles and nine games with at least three blocks. While he's still relatively young, it doesn't seem likely Favors will take another statistical leap -- especially considering the Jazz play at one of the slowest paces in the league and Donovan Mitchell sucks up nearly 30 percent of the team's usage. However, optimists can point to Favors' increased three-point attempts as a possible new wrinkle in his game. He took a career-high 63 threes last season, though he only made them at a 22.2 percent clip. That said, he managed to hit a career-high 39.1 percent of his looks from 16 feet to the three-point line, suggesting his overall range is improving. Whether or not he's able to efficiently integrate the deep ball into his game this season will probably remain unknown until the preseason at the earliest.
Favors participated in just 50 games during the 2016-17 campaign while dealing with a left knee bruise for the majority of the season. As a result, he also saw a smaller workload than we’re typically used to from the 26-year-old, averaging just 23.7 minutes per game. In those minutes, Favors recorded 9.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting 48.7 percent from the field, making him Fantasy irrelevant in relatively shallow leagues. He did show flashes of his usual self, however, recording six double-doubles in his limited action. The 6-foot-10 power forward/center also played well when he saw extended run, averaging 14.0 points and 8.1 rebounds while shooting 53.8 percent from the field across the seven games where he saw at least 30 minutes. Things are looking up for Favors’ Fantasy value heading into the upcoming season. The departures of Gordon Hayward and George Hill have created an offensive vacuum on the Jazz and, assuming Favors can remain healthy, he should be in prime position to take advantage. Considering he averaged over 16 points and 8 rebounds per game during the two seasons before last, it seems possible he could creep up to those levels once again. For that reason, Favors could be a nice sleeper pick in many drafts if he slides down the board.
Favors was able to establish a new career high by averaging 16.4 points per game and supplementing it with 8.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals per contest, but those achievements may have been overlooked since he appeared in only 62 games. The power forward succumbed to back spasms in late December that lingered for a month, casting a blight on an otherwise stellar season. Since fellow frontcourt starter Rudy Gobert’s offensive repertoire is mainly limited to finishing lobs and putbacks, Favors is the Jazz’s top option in post-up situations and as a finisher on the pick-and-roll. He excels at using his immense athleticism to convert on his shot opportunities, hitting better than 51 percent of his attempts in each of the last three seasons. On the defensive end, he’s been able to maintain his shot-blocking prowess while avoiding the ticky-tack fouls that plagued him earlier in his career, as he hasn’t been disqualified from any contest in the last two years.Though Favors has been around the league for a while, he’s still just 25 years old heading into the upcoming campaign, so it’s possible he still has another level he can reach. For that reason, it might be worthwhile to target Favors in the earlier rounds of drafts, as a bigger breakout could be on the horizon if the back problems don’t resurface.
Favors is entering his sixth year in the NBA after finishing up last season with arguably his best campaign of basketball for the Jazz. While averaging 31 minutes on 74 appearances, Favors accrued 16.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game under the direction of first-year coach Quin Snyder. The latter portion of the season was spent teamed up with Rudy Gobert in the frontcourt, and the two combined to form one of the most imposing rim-protecting duos in the league. This coming season shouldn't be any different as Favors seems to be in line for his third-straight season of averaging more than 30 minutes while also providing at least 13 points, eight rebounds, one assist, and one and a half blocked shots. Additionally, he only had seven games where he committed at least five fouls but showed discipline in each of those contests since he never fouled out of a single contest last season. Favors' consistency makes him a viable pick in the early goings of standard drafts, but there's also little room for improvement which will likely keep him right around the fourth to fifth round range.
Derrick Favors is entering his fifth season in the NBA. The pride of Georgia Tech is coming off his best season in the league, as he averaged 13.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.5 blocks in 30 minutes per game last season. Despite dealing with some hip issues, the 23-year-old played and started in 73 games last season as one of Utah's most influential players. With the addition of new head coach Quin Snyder, Favors will likely start at center alongside Enes Kanter at power forward, although Favors will see time playing both positions. The early reports at the philosophy Snyder will have on offense is to surround these two big men with shooters, which may allow Favors to improve on his 1.2 assists per game from last season. On the other end of the court, Favors will remain as the defensive backbone for the Jazz and will have many opportunities to showcase his shot-blocking ability. Since moving into a starting role last season following the departures of Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap in the 2013 offseason, Favors shot an impressive 52 percent from the field. However, he proved to be somewhat of a liability at the free-throw line by finishing the season at 67 percent.
With ex-teammates Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson leaving the Jazz, Favors will finally get a chance to shine. After being selected by the Nets with the third overall pick in the 2010 draft, Favors has yet to reach his breakout season. Over the last year, he averaged 9.4 points (48 percent from the field, 69 percent from the line), 7.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.7 blocks in 23 minutes per game off the bench. His ability to produce both steals and blocks from the power forward position gives him a competitive advantage over others. Now being a top option in the Jazz lineup, Favors has the opportunity to have his breakout season. With young players teeming at the helm of each position, the Jazz are likely to experiment with different offensive strategies, which can only be beneficial for Favors. Expecting 30-plus minutes from the talented forward is not unreasonable at this point. If Favors can remain healthy for the year, he may be up for a true breakout year.
Favors will once again have an opportunity to challenge for a starting role this season. Paul Millsap has been clogging up his development in Utah, but the Jazz remain committed to making Favors a larger part of their game plan. In nine games as a starter in 2011-12, Favors averaged 12.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. He may be second fiddle to Millsap once again, but this coming season will probably be Millsap’s last in Utah. Millsap is a trade candidate, and if he departs before the season ends, Favors would step into the starting power forward spot. Utah is looking toward the summer of 2013 when they’ll have lots of salary freed up. Both Al Jefferson and Millsap will be off the books. That’s when Favors’ value really kicks in. Whether Favors will be of use early in the season will depend on how the team decides to structure their rotation during training camp. They traded for Marvin Williams, and he’ll likely start at small forward. But there’s a chance the team could take a longer look at playing Millsap at small forward and running out a big lineup of Millsap, Favors, and Jefferson. They experimented with the lineup some last season. Overall, Favors is a great sleeper candidate, but the roadblocks he’ll have to overcome make it hard to invest in him too early.
Along with Devin Harris, Favors was the other part in the blockbuster trade that sent Deron Williams packing. He is a young (20) and athletic power forward who got some extra playing time toward the end of last year and boosted his averages to 8.2 points and 5.2 rebounds a game. He is likely to be the first forward off the bench for the Jazz and could show some impressive numbers for a reserve player this season.
The 6-10 Favors averaged 12.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 2.1 blocks as a freshman at Georgia Tech last season. He’s an offensive rebounding machine and an excellent finisher around the basket. Favors also lacked genuine playmakers at GT to get him the rock, so having former All-Star Devin Harris will benefit his offensive numbers. On the downside, Favors is fairly turnover-prone, and his biggest test will be his ability to hit a mid-range shot with consistency. He’ll also have healthy competition for minutes, with Joe Smith and Troy Murphy also vying for time.
