Favors is in the final year of his …

Favors is in the final year of his contract, which pays him $17 million this year. The Pelicans would be selling low on Favors if they were to trade him now, but if he can play better in the coming month or so without the Pelicans’ playoff position improving, he’ll have value as a reliable veteran big man for teams looking to shore up their interior. “He was in Utah for just about all his career and it looks like he struggled to adjust in New Orleans and that is something you worry about,” one league executive told Heavy.com. “But look, he is a dependable big guy. He can play better defense than he’s played this season. He is a good rebounder. He can give you 12, 15 points. Defenses can’t afford to lose him, he can make you pay. There’s going to be teams looking for a guy like that. But if you’re New Orleans, you’ve got a young guy you want to have those minutes.”