THUNDER REPORT CARD:
Derrick Favors was traded to Oklahoma City last July in a Utah Jazz salary dump. The Thunder had no great plans for Favors but received a conditional first-round draft pick for its troubles.
We continue our series of Thunder report cards with the 30-year-old, 6foot-10 center from Georgia Tech.
Attitude: A
Favors has played in 42 career playoff games, spanning eight series. Before arriving with the Thunder, Favors had played in 751 NBA games, starting 485. Suddenly, Favors was thrust into a rebuilding situation, with no postseason hopes, and started just 18 of the 39 games in which he played. But from all accounts, Favors remained professional and accommodating. Sort of Al Horford light, only without the marketability to merit much trade interest.
Rebounding: B
Favors’ rebounding rate of 14.5 (percentage of available rebounds he grabbed while on the court) was the worst of his career, but it still led the Thunder, among players who played at least 250 minutes. Favors’ 10.1 rebounds per 36 minutes was in the mainstream of his career performance.
Rim protection: D
Favors’ 0.7 blocked shots per 36 minutes were below that of fellow big men Mike Muscala, Darius Bazley, Olivier Sarr and Isaiah Roby. And 0.7 blocked shots per 36 minutes is almost half as much as his previous career low. Favors’ career is winding down. Centers who can’t stretch the floor or protect the rim have little value.
Outside shooting: D
Favors never has been an outside shooter. In 11 NBA seasons before 2021-22, Favors had attempted 176 3points, making just 36. That’s a percentage of 20.4%, and that’s no way to stay in the NBA. Favors failed in his attempts to show prospective teams he could develop into an outside threat. On corner 3-pointers, the easiest shot from deep, he made just one of 14. Overall, he was two of 16 on 3-pointers. But Favors did make 13 of 32 shots on 2-pointers from 16 feet and farther. That’s a percentage of .406, a career high.
Interior defense: B
Favors still can hold up defensively, though not as well as he once did. His defensive field-goal percentage was .571, not very good, but his defensive rating of 106.5 (per 100 possessions) was fifth on the team. Favors still is strong. His athletic ability has decreased some, but he’s still a viable NBA defender.