Transfer by Oklahoma City at the end of September, Derrick Favors put his luggage in Houston for two short weeks. Cut by the Rockets during training camp despite his guaranteed salary of 10 million, the veteran still had no contract in the NBA this season. Looking for reinforcements in their racket, the Hawks jumped at the chance to offer him a ten-day deal. Deprived of their titular pivot Clint Capela for a calf injury, Atlanta recovers a regular on the circuit with almost 800 regular season games on the clock. Little used by the Thunder last year which had given priority to young people, Favors turned 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in 17 minutes.
It’s a homecoming for the 31-year-old who attended Georgia Tech and attended South Atlanta High School. Less mobile than in its early days and with an unreliable long-range shot, Favors is an old-school interior that has paid a heavy price for the latest evolutions in the NBA game. The Hawks should use it on some rotating streaks ofMr. Okongwu, inducted in the major 5 in the absence of Capela. Favors could even be eyeing a place on the roster until the end of the season in the event of a transfer from John Collins before the trade deadline. With a disappointing record of 19 wins and 21 losses, the Hawks are among the franchises likely to activate on the market.