NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 offseason targets for the Utah Jazz

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 6: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz and Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz high-five during 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 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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1. Derrick Favors

While Aaron Gordon could unlock some new potential for the Jazz, I’m not sure how willing they are to tie up their money in the uncertain game that is restricted free agency. Re-signing Derrick Favors on a short deal seems like the most logical step for Utah to take this summer. He’s going to be a fascinating free agent case come July.

Favors doesn’t have an especially diverse game on offense. He’s a dangerous roll man when he plays the five, with a decent but far from deadly mid-range shot. In terms of post-ups he can take advantage of mismatches, but he’s a bit too deliberate with his moves. Favors also crashes the glass and gets easy putback buckets on a consistent basis.

The fit between Favors and Gobert can get awkward at times on that end though. At the beginning of the season, units featuring the dynamic big pair of struggled mightily to put the ball in the basket. When Favors played as the lone center he was usually effective. On defense though, the Gobert-Favors tandem has long given teams massive problems. With Gobert barricading the rim, Favors has enough mobility to get out on some perimeter shooting threats at the four.

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The market for players of Favors’ ilk isn’t exactly vibrant. There’s so little money available this summer and most of it won’t be going to centers. If Favors is available on the cheap and no teams really pursue him, the Jazz can offer him a multi-year deal at a small figure. But again, the Gobert- Favors fit isn’t seamless at this point, especially if the Jazz eventually want to compete with the Warriors and Rockets. An overpay on a one-year deal is another option. In that case, Favors could make a nice sum next season, say $20 million, and then hit free agency again next year when more cap room will be available. In that scenario Utah would retain a longtime Jazz stalwart and keep the 2019 books clean.

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