NBA 2018/19: 3 Utah Jazz players who have been disappointing this season

Modified Nov 08, 2022 11:44 GMT

The Utah Jazz finished the 2017/18 NBA season with an impressive record of 48–34. The team made a poor start to the season, although their terrific form in 2018 was enough for the team to claim 5th place in the Western Conference.

The Jazz entered their First Round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder as the underdogs, however, the Donovan Mitchell-inspired team managed to defeat the Thunder in six games. In the semifinals, the Jazz lost in five games to the Rockets, although the future still looked bright.

Nevertheless, despite all the optimism surrounding the team, the Jazz have started the 18/19 season with a disappointing 18-19 record. A few notable names on the Jazz roster have performed poorly so far, and here we will look at the team's three most disappointing players of the current season.

#3 Donovan Mitchell

After playing two years of college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals, Donovan Mitchell was selected by the Denver Nuggets with the 13th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft. Mitchell was quickly traded to the Utah Jazz in return for Tyler Lydon and Trey Lyles, and the deal turned out to be a masterstroke by the Utah franchise.

Donovan Mitchell was one of the biggest surprises of the 17/18 NBA season, and many felt that the youngster should have won the Rookie of the Year award over Ben Simmons. Mitchell also lit up the postseason, as he led the Jazz to a series win over the OKC Thunder, averaging 28.5 points a game.

This season, Mitchell is averaging 20.1 points, 3.4 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game, although his poor decision making has cost the Jazz a number of games. The 21-year-old has also struggled with his shot, and Mitchell is currently shooting just .411 from the field, and under .300 from behind the arc. Competition in the West is intense, and the Jazz will need Mitchell to return to last season's form in order to make the playoffs.

#2 Ricky Rubio

Ricky Rubio is widely regarded as one of the NBA's most underrated players. The Spaniard was drafted with the fifth pick in the first round of the 2009 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, and since joining the Jazz in 2017, Rubio has enjoyed the best form of his career.

Last season, the 28-year-old averaged 13.1 points, 5.3 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game, and was also instrumental during the Jazz's playoff series win over the Thunder.

So far this season, the point guard has managed to keep Dante Exum out of the starting lineup, however, he has struggled with his shot. His field goal percentage is currently at just .39, and Rubio is also shooting just 33% from deep.

The Spaniard's points-per-game are also slightly down on the 17/18 season, and the Jazz will be hoping that the former Timberwolves man can end his shooting woes in the upcoming weeks.

#1 Derrick Favors

Derrick Favors has been with the Jazz since 2011, and over the summer he signed a new two year, $32 million contract with the franchise. The 27-year-old has played a major role in the last five years of the Jazz's success, although fans and analysts alike are split on whether Favors and Rudy Gobert can function in the same team.

Favors has been moved from his preferred center position in order to accommodate the Frenchman and he has once again struggled to consistently make an impact. Favors is currently averaging 10.9 points and 7.1 rebounds, although he is only playing 23 minutes-per-game.

This is his lowest number in five years, and his influence on the team is fading. Ultimately, it looks as though Favors could be listed for trade by the Jazz, as the franchise looks to add more variety to their roster.