6) Feature Derrick Favors
So, I love Derrick Favors. He’s the only current Jazzman whose jersey hangs in my closet and he’s been a really good player for the brunt of his seven-year run in Utah. Unfortunately, we’ve probably reached the end of the road for his partnership with the Jazz.
Favors’ pairing with Rudy Gobert was imperfect at the best of times. The addition of Ricky Rubio has further served to complicate the issue — the trio has a net rating of minus-16.3 in 237 minutes together this season.
With the roster being what it is, the Jazz just aren’t getting the most out of Favors or their offensive attack. And, for his part, Faves is playing second fiddle when he’s still good enough to be a featured big. He’s putting up a 12.7-6.6 line for the Jazz, but could probably get back to 16 and eight (and 30-plus minutes a night) with the right team.
With the end in sight, the Jazz need to utilize Gobert’s continued absence to showcase Favors’ talents and, when the trade deadline approaches, get the best deal possible for him.
Next: No. 5