Darryn Peterson is the newest member of the Utah Jazz! There truly wasn't a wrong choice for the Jazz to make, but taking a guard when they could have taken a big man like Cameron Boozer pretty much signals their plans with Walker Kessler: to keep him long-term at all costs.
If Utah had taken Boozer as they are currently negotiating Kessler's next deal, that could have been very telling on how they felt about Kessler in terms of expendability. Utah has a loaded frontcourt, so taking Boozer would have made it feel like they were going to have make some moves, and it's very possible that Kessler would have been the odd man out.
But with Peterson in the fold instead, it should kill off all doubt about how Utah feels about Kessler. There wasn't really much (if any) skepticism that Kessler would stay with the team. Not drafting Boozer makes it so that it's very possible Kessler will be with Utah for who knows how long as opposed to long enough until Boozer's extension comes up.
Boozer should have a great career in Memphis and may very well prove Utah made a mistake in the long term, but even so, the fewer questions about Peterson's fit with the current Jazz roster than about Boozer's make this a big win for the Jazz. The fact that it means Utah wants to keep Kessler makes it even sweeter.
Now we await the price tag...
The Jazz have already made a pretty solid offer for their starting center next season, but he believes he is worth plenty more. All indications are that he will try his hand on the open market, which Utah should be more than willing to accommodate. However, with each passing day, it feels like he's losing more and more leverage with potential suitors dropping out.
Even though drafting Peterson over Boozer suggests Utah's intentions are to keep Kessler for the long haul, this situation will likely be dragged out for a long time. Maybe Utah caves to Kessler's demands and maybe not, but at least more and more indications have said that he will stay a Jazzman.
When he does, he basically will be the last piece in what should be an excellent Jazz team next season. Peterson gives the Jazz a high-ceiling two-way guard who gives them so much scoring while Kessler gives them rim protection and rebounding.
With all the pieces likely to be in place next season, we can now finally say that Utah is ready to put the league on notice next season.
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