Utah Jazz: The four toughest decisions facing the team this summer

The Derrick Favors dilemma

So remember how I said pretty much all the decisions this summer are in the hands of the Utah Jazz? Well, this one is the exception where it actually isn’t entirely. Derrick Favors is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer meaning he can ultimately choose to go wherever he pleases. However, the difference between his scenario and that of Utah’s unrestricted free agents from last season is that Favors has made it clear that he would like to stay in Utah.

Now, that may mean Utah is his number one option regardless of circumstance or it might mean something more along the lines of “I want to stay here…if I get paid what I’m looking for.”

And therein lies the question for the Utah Jazz. With Derrick Favors stating his intentions and desire to stay, how do they proceed with him? Do they sign him to a hefty short-term deal, allowing him to get paid now, stay with this exciting core then have flexibility to get back on the market once more teams have a greater amount of cash available?

Do they stay true to their longest tenured player and figure out a way to come to a long-term agreement with him? Even if it means sacrificing some flexibility down the road and pretty much eliminates the hopes of signing a playmaking stretch-four, the likes of which has purportedly been coveted by Dennis Lindsey for quite some time?

Or, finally, do they simply allow Favors to walk, thanking him for his time spent in Utah, wishing him well and aim to find a suitable replacement this summer?

See why this is such a hard decision?

In truth, each of these options has its pros and cons. Favors is an undeniably solid talent and keeping him around would certainly benefit the Jazz unless they had a solid backup plan in place. When looking at the current market for playmaking fours, though, it’s hard to see who that backup plan might be.

The short-term deal, such as a 1+1 contract I mentioned in a recent piece focused on Favors, is a great idea for the Jazz in theory, but Derrick may very well want to avoid the drama of playing as an impending free agent for another season, if not two.

Not to mention, he’s had his injury woes in the past, so considering that he just came off his healthiest season in quite some time, he might be looking to get into a long-term contract now and avoid the risk of potential injury hurting his stock down the road.

My personal hope is that the Jazz opt to keep Favors for at least one more year (ideally on a 1+1 contract), then they can really weigh his impact in the summer of 2019 and make a decision from there. I think Derrick will be hard-pressed to find an ideal landing spot this summer with the money, role and winning culture that he would desire and the Jazz may have a hard time finding a suitable starting four and backup center.

With those obstacles facing both parties, it makes sense for them to stay together for at least a little longer. However, the chance still remains that the Jazz will opt to spend the money Favors requires on a different player or that Favors will want a lucrative long-term deal elsewhere.

Regardless of how this situation pans out though, it goes without saying that it will be one of the toughest decisions the Jazz face this summer.