Derrick Favors
Derrick Favors has long been considered the No. 2 option after Gordon Hayward, but Favors has often looked like the team’s best player. He doesn’t do all the same kinds of things that Hayward does, but when his mid-range game is on, his post-up play is on point and his defense is locked in, Favors is as dangerous as they come.
However, much like Hayward, Favors’ 2015-16 campaign didn’t see him take as big of a leap as many had hoped. He had some incredible moments–like his 35-point outpouring against the Indiana Pacers–but with season averages of 16.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, he still has a considerable distance to go before he becomes the 20-10 guy that Jazz fans feel confident he can be.
Favors did struggle with injuries last year, which likely hampered his production and he was also stuck playing center more often than he might have liked with Gobert sidelined for much of the year as well. Assuming the team is healthy, Favors will have no excuse but to significantly raise his production this season.
Unlike Hayward, who will likely stay in about the same range productivity-wise without hurting the Jazz’s chances, the team needs a huge boost from Favors to truly rise. As the league transitions to smaller and faster lineups, Favors will have to assert his size and offensive power and truly take a leap statistically for the Jazz to become a legitimate force.
20-10 isn’t an unrealistic goal and Favors needs to go out every night expecting that to be his stat line.
If he does so, there’s no reason why the he couldn’t be an All-Star, alongside Hayward, or all by himself. Regardless of whether he earns that honor or not, however, the Jazz will need vast improvement from Favors if they’re to take the next step in their progression.
Best Case Scenario: All-Star appearance, consistent and reliable 20-10 guy
Worst Case Scenario: Drop-off in progression that has Trey Lyles looking better suited for the starting gig in the modern style of the NBA
Next: Rudy Gobert