Miami Heat trades to get a backup center: Derrick Favors
Derrick Favors is another quality player who is under contract for the next couple of years. He is set to make around $11 million each year for the next two seasons.
The Utah Jazz are in a tough spot financially. Unloading Favors’ contract is in their best interest, and according to recent reports they are willing to give up the 30th pick in this year’s draft in order to do so.
This deal would allow the Miami Heat to add a backup center and a first-round talent. Though the pick is at the end of the first round, he would be on a first-round contract, which is great for Miami’s financial situation.
As for Favors, he can provide solid backup center minutes behind Adebayo. Last season, he averaged 5.4 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 63.8% from the field.
There would also be plenty of quality players available at the 30th pick. Players such as JT Thor, Josh Christopher, and Joshua Primo could all be available at that point.
For the Jazz, this allows them to shed a significant amount of salary. The Miami Heat could give up a second-round pick instead of Okpala, but they don’t have many of those left as it is.
Trading away Okpala may seem like a waste of young talent, but the Heat get back a quality backup center, as well as the chance to draft a rookie this year. It would be a great move for Miami if Pat Riley could get the deal done.