The Utah Jazz essentially allowed Derrick Favors to become a free agent while technically under contract, knowing they were going to use his non-guaranteed 2019-20 salary on a better shooter at power forward. Indeed, they eventually agreed to terms on a reported four-year, $73 million deal with Bojan Bogdanovic.
After Favors chose to join the Pelicans, the two teams quickly worked out a trade that prevents the possibility of Favors being claimed off waivers by another team.
New Orleans Pelicans get: Derrick Favors
Utah Jazz get: Two second-round picks
Get more trade grades for every deal here.
New Orleans Pelicans: B+
As compared to the values so far in free agency, getting Favors for one year at $17.65 million looks like a desirable alternative. Favors' 2019-20 salary -- which will become guaranteed on July 6 -- fit almost perfectly into the Pelicans' remaining cap space after a reported agreement with guard JJ Redick.
By splitting up money among veterans, New Orleans avoided any long-term financial commitments this summer. (Redick got a two-year deal, as did Italian forward Nicolo Melli, who will now be signed using the Pelicans' room midlevel exception.) That makes sense for a couple of reasons. First, it gives New Orleans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin time to evaluate the young talent on his roster after the Anthony Davis trade before deciding how to build around this group.
Additionally, the Pelicans won't be locked into big, long-term deals for veterans that become a problem when the younger players on the roster start to get expensive. New Orleans must decide on a new contract for Brandon Ingram by next summer, when he'll be a restricted free agent if not extended by Oct. 31. Lonzo Ball will be up for an extension the year after that. So though the Pelicans had tons of cap room now, using it all on four-year deals had the potential to create some luxury-tax concerns down the road if Ingram and Ball both pan out.
If Favors proves a good fit, by trading for him New Orleans will have full Bird rights when Favors hits unrestricted free agency next summer. The downside to dealing for Favors is he's not quite as stretchy a big man as would be ideal next to No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson. As hard as he worked to add 3-point range playing power forward in Utah, Favors topped out last season at 17 made 3s and is a 21% career shooter from beyond the arc. So Favors will congest things a bit for Zion on offense.
That's offset by his polished defense, which will take pressure off Williamson to be a rim protector from day one.
Utah Jazz: B
Besides doing Favors a, well, solid by helping him pick a destination, the Jazz also got a couple of second-round picks for their troubles. The 2021 Warriors pick should come near the end of the round and have little value, but by 2023 Golden State may no longer be a contending team.