Twelve-year NBA pro Derrick Favors, still just 32, is attempting a return to the league where he’s earned $131MM. The 6’9″ big man reportedly intends to sign a G League deal, though it remains unclear where specifically he’ll end up. Favors detailed his decision to join an NBAGL club during a revealing conversation with Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
“Right now, I think that’s probably the best option for me,” Favors said. “I think overseas options will be there. That’s not going anywhere. Right now, my main focus is to get back into the league, and I think this might be the best possibility by taking this route. I did get some interest (overseas). I didn’t take a good, hard look at it.”
Across 790 career regular season contests, the No. 3 pick in the 2011 draft out of Georgia Tech holds averages of 10.6 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.2 BPG and 1.1 APG. He most recently suited up for the Thunder in 2021/22.
Their chat is well worth reading in full, but here are some highlights.
On his most recent NBA team, the Thunder:
“When I got to OKC, they were super young at the time, so I didn’t fit their timeline as much, but I knew they were talented and would be good when they figured it out. They’re one of the rising teams in the NBA.”
On what he might do differently in his career:
“Maybe not stress as much about certain things you can’t control. What I mean by that is being affected by trade rumors or being affected by minutes. You may not be playing as many minutes as somebody else.”
On speculating about a long-term life with the Nets, who trade him to the Jazz midway through his rookie season:
“It was kind of a tough situation because in New Jersey, I was starting at the time and starting to build my name up and my confidence. Then when I got traded, I had to come off the bench, and I played behind those two guys who were damn near All-Stars (Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap). They were playing for 30-35 minutes.
“It was tough, but I always looked at it as a blessing because I got to be around good people as teammates and a great organization. The fans in Utah were unbelievable. I spent 10 years out there. I have a love for them, and I know they love me too. That was like a second home for me. I don’t know how it would’ve ended up in New Jersey if I stayed. I think being traded to Utah helped my career out a lot.”
Nice to hear real life experience from a pro player. $131 million is a darn tootin haul of cash. Obviously needs no more money and has lived the dream but still wants to play just for the sake of the game.
Derrick Favors is one of the most likeable players in the NBA. He’s very friendly and easy to get along with. It’s no wonder the Jazz brought him back twice. They only traded him because of team need at the time.
Of course, Dennis Lindsay, should’ve been smarter about the second time they brought him back. That wasn’t Favors’ fault. Regardless, the fans still didn’t mind as almost all Jazz fans love the guy like family. He’s always welcome by us. Maybe he could be a big man coach or something.
Glad he’s still playing while he can. Enjoy it, good sir!