New Orleans Pelicans: 2 players With the Most to Prove at NBA Disney

New Orleans Pelicans: Derrick Favors has a lot to prove at NBA Disney

The Derrick Favors dilemma has been an ongoing story this season and will continue when the team takes the court in Orlando.

Favors is part of the Pelicans’ best lineups and the team was much better when he was on the floor.

He protects the rim, can guard the other team’s bigs and provides the toughness and veteran leadership that the Pelicans lack.

The problem is that Favors makes $17.65 million, a number the Pelicans will not be able to carry moving forward, especially not for a guy who averages just 9.2 points and 9.9 rebounds a game.

The Pelicans can probably replace those numbers for far less, so Favors is out to prove that he is an invaluable member of this team who is worth paying.

Favors is rarely mentioned as part of the “core” of the New Orleans Pelicans, so he wants to show that he is too important to let get away.

If Favors plays well in Orlando, racks up the double-doubles, and helps lead the Pelicans to the playoffs, it will be hard for the team to just let him walk.

Favors is also 28-years-old and eager to get one last big contract before his career is finished, even if it is not with the Pels.

He will be one of the top available free agents, so Favors can up his stock by playing well in Orlando, where all eyes will be on Zion Williamson and the Pelicans.

Favors is out to prove he is worth a multi-year contract with the Pelicans or someone else and has a lot at stake in these final eight games.