The J-Notes
Fansided

Former Utah Jazz forward, Derrick Favors, is going to the G-League but could a return be possible?

Chad Porto|
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 17: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball during the game against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on February 17, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 17: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball during the game against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on February 17, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

Derrick Favors is in the G-League and the Utah Jazz should keep an eye on him.

Derrick Favoris is a Utah Jazz legend. That’s not our opinion, that’s KSL’s who ranked him as the 21st-best player in franchise history. The power forward spent 10 of his 13 seasons in Salt Lake City, getting traded there as a rookie from the Brooklyn Nets, and then playing the next nine seasons there. He would move on and play for the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019-2020, before returning to the Jazz for the 2020-2021 season, and lastly playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2021-2022.

During the ’22-’23 season, Favors was traded to the Houston Rockets, waived, and later signed a 10-day contract with the Atlanta Hawks. This leads us to today, where Favors has signed a deal with the G-League to return to basketball.

He doesn’t appear to be signing with a team directly, and may instead end up in the NBAGL Draft for the season, meaning that any team can select him if he’s available for them.

And if Favors does land on a team, as many believe he will, and he plays well, the Utah Jazz should consider bringing back Favors. The forward is 12th all-time in points scored among all Jazz players and is 7th all-time in field goals made for the team as well.

He’s a man with a long resume for the team and could still provide an impact for the squad; especially on defense. While never a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in earnest, Favors has always been the best or second-best player the team has had since he came into the league. While the team has its fair share of young forwards, namely Taylor Hendricks, he doesn’t seem ready yet to take on a big role with the team.

If the Jazz need some defensive help, Favors may be the go-to guy. He’s not someone you’re going to tap if you need a three-and-D type or if you want a stretch-four, but Favors as a pure defensive option is among the best the Jazz can get, and should their defense falter, they’re going to need someone like him to help them get to the playoffs.

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