Derrick Favors Embracing Leadership Role With Young Rockets

Veteran NBA big man Derrick Favors wasn’t expecting the recent trade that sent him from the Thunder to the Rockets, which was primarily completed for reasons related to finances (on Oklahoma City’s end) and draft compensation (on Houston’s end).

But now that he’s arrived, Favors is ready to make the most of it — regardless of whether he plays or watches from the bench.

In comments prior to Friday’s preseason victory over Toronto, which was the first for Favors as an active player for the Rockets, he said:

I’m happy to be here. This is a young team, and they play hard. It was a little bit unexpected, for me, but I’m happy to be here. I think I can provide some good leadership to the team, and help them in any way that they need help.

I’ve been on young teams before. This isn’t my first rodeo with this. I know how to approach it.

Favors played 8 minutes off Houston’s bench Friday, collecting 3 rebounds versus the Raptors to go with a steal and an assist. Now 31 years old, the 6-foot-9 big man has averaged 10.6 points (53.4% FG) and 7.1 rebounds in 24.3 minutes per game over his career.

“Whatever they need,” Favors said of his potential on-court value to the Rockets. “A presence in the paint, toughness. I’m just going to go out there and play my game.”

Going forward, Favors would seem to be in the mix as a potential backup center option behind second-year prospect Alperen Sengun. Other options include Bruno Fernando and Usman Garuba. The Rockets will have two more preseason opportunities to evaluate those types of players, with the next coming Monday night at Miami.