The Utah Jazz are in full-blown rebuild mode now, and part of that rebuild will be ensuring that they lock up their promising youngsters going forward. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, they have taken the first step in doing so, agreeing to a 4-year $49 million contract extension with their promising young power forward, Derrick Favors.
Favors, who was the main piece in the Deron Williams trade, is just 22 years old. While he hasn’t played huge minutes, starting just 17 games to date in his NBA career, the power forward is looking to take a huge step forward this year. With Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson leaving as free agents this summer, it is expected that Favors will take over as a full-time starter in the Jazz front court this season.
At 6’10” and 250 lbs, the Georgia Tech Product, and 3rd overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, has already shown that he can be an intimidating presence at the defensive end of the court, and now must work to improve on the offensive promise he started to show last year.
Favors averaged 9.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocked shots in 23.2 minutes per game last season.
The contract also includes incentives and could be worth well in excess of $50 million depending on how well Favors plays in his new role. Favors was scheduled to be a restricted free agent following the 2013-14 NBA season.
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