Jazz Players Say Goodbye To Derrick Favors
Jul 1, 2019, 3:11 PM
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz had a busy first day of free agency by signing forward Bojan Bogdanovic and Ed Davis after acquiring Mike Conley from the Memphis Grizzlies before free agency opened. They also traded the longest tenured Jazzman Derrick Favors to New Orleans.
After the Jazz picked up Conley and Bogdanovic, it was almost certain that they would not bring back Derrick Favors.
The Jazz agreed to trade Favors to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for two second round picks.
Pelicans are sending 2021 and 2023 second-round picks — both via Warriors — in trade for Favors, league source tells ESPN. https://t.co/jNwPC0MB1R
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2019
Favors’ departure will end his title as the longest tenured Jazzman on the roster. His teammates from the Jazz sent tweets in appreciation for all that Favors has done for the organization.
Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell and Joe Ingles have all gotten close to Favors over the years, particularly Gobert as he and Favors were tasked with protecting the paint for one of the best defenses in the NBA.
Couldn’t have said it better myself! Mr. Consistent always worked his ass off! Fave thank you for everything man! Love bro 🙏🏾💯 @dfavors14 https://t.co/CkseGD92Sa
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) July 1, 2019
8 years with the @utahjazz, 5 years together! @dfavors14 was rumoured nearly every year to be traded. He came in everyday & went to work regardless. I’ll miss our pick n roll together but let’s not forget what Fav did for this franchise for 8 years! All the best brother!
— Joe Ingles (@Joeingles7) July 1, 2019
Favors averaged 11.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, while shooting 58 percent from the field this past season.
He was acquired in 2011 when the Jazz traded Deron Williams to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Favors, Devin Harris.
Since that time, Favors has played 576 games in a Jazz uniform.
The Pelicans will thrive with Favors in the lineup as he will likely be their starting center and will get to groom No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson.
Favors and Williamson will attempt to fill the void in New Orleans left by Anthony Davis, who was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
