The drama has certainly intensified for the Utah Jazz over the past few days, both with Walker Kessler's free agency and Darryn Peterson canceling his workout with the team. Peterson's actions have led to plenty of conclusions, but among those who have seen this rodeo before is Draymond Green.
Green has extensive knowledge about what Peterson is doing, because Stephen Curry did the same thing to the Golden State Warriors before they took him, and look what happened. Green referenced exactly that on his podcast while explaining why it's not that big of a deal.
Draymond Green on Darryn Peterson not wanting to be in Utah.
— TakeNote FC 🇸🇴 (@cDubFan) June 19, 2026
“They [Utah Jazz] don’t give a sh*t… ask Steph Curry, He did not work out for the Warriors and asked them not to draft him… 18 years later he’s been with that team the whole time”
(@DraymondShow) 👀 🍿 pic.twitter.com/gMyCEMUvvC
Green's words prove exactly why the Jazz should not care that Peterson opted not to work out for them. Especially since it doesn't seem exactly clear if it had anything to do with the Jazz or if it was just a matter of his confidence being strong enough to believe wholeheartedly that he's Washington-bound.
In any case, if Peterson is available with the No. 2 pick, Utah has no reason to use his antics against him should they think that he is their guy. If Ace Bailey's actions didn't dissuade the Jazz from drafting him last year, then evidently Peterson's won't do the same.
If the Jazz pass on Peterson, it won't be because of the canceled workout
It's very possible that Peterson will be available to select with the No. 2 pick, and Utah opts to pass on him. There's no telling what the odds will be on that, but it's very much a possibility because the top three prospects in this draft are interchangeable - Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, and Cameron Boozer.
All three are so talented that they could go in legitimately in any order. Sure, many believe Dybantsa is going No. 1 - although more whispers indicate that may not be the case - but whether he does or doesn't, Boozer is good enough for Utah to draft him. They'd have extra incentive too because of his ties to his dad, an esteemed Jazz alum who works for the team.
If they take Dybantsa or Boozer should they have the chance to take one of them or Peterson, people shouldn't come to the conclusion that it was because of any character concerns with Peterson. Simply put, it was just because they thought the other prospects were better than him.
It's not like anyone would have preferred Peterson to do what he has done, but as Green points out here, anyone who thinks this is a big deal is making a mountain out of a molehill.
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