Pelicans reportedly acquire Derrick Favors in trade with Jazz

The New Orleans Pelicans are adding veteran big man Derrick Favors to provide depth in their front court.

The Pelicans agreed to a two-year deal with J.J. Redick on the first day of the NBA’s free agency period. Later that evening they added Favors in a trade with the Utah Jazz.

Derrick Favors to The Athletic on his trade to the New Orleans Pelicans: I will miss Utah and I appreciate my time with the Jazz. Thank you to the fans. I'm ready and excited for the next chapter

— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) July 1, 2019

The terms of the trade were not immediately available.

Favors, 27, has spent the past nine seasons with the Utah Jazz. In 76 games last season he averaged 11.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. The Jazz declined their team option on Favors, making him a free agent, and needed to get rid of him to make room for Bojan Bogdanovic, whom they signed away from Indiana.

Favors will help make the emerging Pelicans more formidable. They could end up with a starting five including Jrue Holiday, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Redick and Favors, with Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball and E’Twaun Moore among their bench players.