NBA Trade Verdict

Even Trade

Oklahoma City absorbed Derrick Favors for a protected Utah first that ultimately failed to convey as a first; after the protection sequence expired, the return fell back to second-round value.

July 30, 2021 Oklahoma City Thunder / Utah Jazz Record confidence: High

Oklahoma City Thunder Received

  • Player Derrick Favors
  • Draft Pick draft pick (first round pick transferable 2 years after Jazz send first round pick to Grizzlies from earlier trade
  • Draft Pick protected top 10 in 2024-25, top 8 in 2026, else 2028 second round pick) (?-?)

Utah Jazz Received

  • Draft Pick 2027 second round pick (least favorable of Heat, Pacers, Rockets, Thunder picks) (?-?)
  • Cash cash

Trade Analysis

The 2021 Favors salary-absorption trade looked stronger for Oklahoma City when the attached Utah asset still had a path to becoming a first-round pick. By the 2026 draft, Utah held the No. 2 selection and the protection sequence prevented conveyance, leaving the obligation to fall back to a 2028 second-round pick. Favors supplied one season of veteran center minutes before being moved again, while Oklahoma City had also sent cash and a future second in the original deal. With the premium first-round upside gone, the realized exchange is much closer to neutral than the preliminary A+ suggested. B-/B- and Even Trade better fit the completed mechanics.