3 Utah Jazz players who won’t be back next season

1. Derrick Favors

The Jazz already committed long-term contracts to guard Donovan Mitchell and center Rudy Gobert to solidify their core for years to come. This offseason, all signs are pointing to the team re-signing Mike Conley. Despite them being over the cap, they can go over the cap to keep him, which is a far better option than letting him walk for nothing and still lacking flexibility.

But, like any team, you would think they would like to free up some money one way or another. If the Jazz want to do that, they can try to offload the contract of Derrick Favors.

The former third overall pick’s play has declined since his 2018-19 season with the Jazz. In his lone campaign with the New Orleans Pelicans last year, Favors averaged 9.0 points and 9.8 rebounds per game through 51 appearances (49 starts). After re-signing with the Jazz on a three-year, $29.2 million contract, Favors’ production declined further as Gobert’s backup.

In 68 regular-season games, Favors averaged 5.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks a night. Favors did shoot 63.8 percent from the field, but he took nearly half the shot attempts he did last year with the Pelicans. In the playoffs, Favors was front and center after getting viciously dunked on by Clippers star Kawhi Leonard. Through those 11 postseason contests, Favors averaged 3.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in 13.2 minutes per game.

Again, if the Jazz want to free up money on the books, Favors is perhaps the easiest option by trading him elsewhere.