The J-Notes
Fansided

Untouchable to expendable: Where does each Utah Jazz player rank?

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 27: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz celebrates after Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 27: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz celebrates after Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 6: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz arrives before the game against the Houston Rockets during Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 6: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz arrives before the game against the Houston Rockets during Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Derrick Favors

Now here’s an interesting one. Derrick Favors is approaching unrestricted free agency, so even if the Jazz had every intention of keeping him on board, there’s a chance that the talented big man that has seen drastic changes in his role during his time as a Jazzman may very well want to leave for greener pastures.

For my complete thoughts on Favors, be sure to check out the article accessible via the link in the tweet below:

For this exercise, let’s just assume that Favors wants to return to the Jazz. Even if he does, Utah has several things to consider. First of all, while he has been a vital part of the team’s success and co-existed extremely well with Rudy Gobert in the latter part of the season as well as in the series against OKC, he struggled to find a groove against Houston.

That series loss may cause the Jazz to wonder, is Favors at the starting power forward spot the recipe for success over the league’s elite teams such as the Rockets and Warriors? At the end of the day, you have to get past them in order to be a true title contender, so is investing a significant amount of money on D-Favs the best option for the Jazz?

That honestly depends on a lot of factors, including who else the Jazz may want to pursue in free agency, such as a potential play-making stretch-four, and how Favors’ contract plays out. If they’re able to bring him back on a one-year deal, even one they overpay for, it might be worth it to keep a solid player in tow.

However, though Favors deserves credit for Utah’s success, I feel like they could find a way to fill the void left by him if they absolutely had to. That may become the reality for the Jazz if he opts to exercise his free agency and go elsewhere. Or the Jazz could very well opt to make a change rather than dish out a significant amount of money to him.

I truly believe Favors makes this team better and is a piece they should aim to hold on to, at least for 2018-19. However, whether he forces Utah’s hand or not, there’s no guarantee that he’ll be back next year.

Verdict: About midway between untouchable and expendable, but Jazz could find a way to survive without him (and may very well have to)

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