Tony Jones: Washington Wizards have “significant interest” in Derrick Favors

With the trade deadline drawing nearer, the rumors are getting more intense. The Athletic is hot on a trail of rumors pitting the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz as trade partners.

Both Shams Charania and Tony Jones of The Athletic have reported interest from Utah in Wizards’ forward Otto Porter Jr.

Jones’ report also claimed the Jazz to be kicking the tires on Memphis Grizzlies’ point guard Mike Conley.

This morning, Jones dropped another report saying the Wizards have “significant interest” in the former Georgia Tech big.

Trade speculation around Favors is nothing new and it’s become almost a running joke to the forward who has made jabs at the consistent rumors of him leaving Utah.

Jones quoted Favors in his story, supposedly regarding these latest rumors.

“I was supposed to have been traded for (Nikola) Mirotic,” Favors told The Athletic. “I was supposed to have been traded for (Jabari) Parker.”

Favors, now in his ninth season in Utah, is currently averaging 11.0 points and 7.2 rebounds on a career-best 57.0 shooting percentage. His 1.2 blocks per game is his highest average since 2015-16, arguably his best statistical year.

Despite those numbers, Favors’ minutes per game, currently sitting at 23.2, is at it’s lowest average since 2012-13 when he had just eight starts and was primarily a backup for Paul Milsap. Utah’s sixth man, Jae Crowder is averaging 27.4 minutes this season.