When the Utah Jazz drafted Darryn Peterson, it seemed like a given that their starting backcourt would be him and Keyonte George. They could become the most talented backcourt in Jazz history, but even with their extremely high potential, Peterson will need time for them to reach it.
While talking with Yahoo Sports! Kelly Iko, George made it clear he can see how talented Peterson is, but also made it clear that Peterson will still need development.
"Just seeing the little things," George told Iko. "Using his off arm to keep the defender off or moving the ball into certain pockets. Using the fadeaway when needed. Making those split-second reads on the offensive end, it's something you just can't teach. But he got a long way to go. So the fact that he's looking like this right now, you don't even want to put a limit on somebody like that, for sure."
This isn't a shot at Peterson in the slightest. It's actually a compliment in the fact that Peterson looks as good as he does now and yet has room to grow. That's actually a pretty awesome feeling to know that as good as he looks, he's only scratching the surface.
Even better is that he has another young and talented guard by his side to show him the ropes of transitioning to NBA ball. It appears to be a union both are pretty excited about.
you love to see it 💜🔑 pic.twitter.com/6tVIhdLaP1
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) July 7, 2026
Expect growing pains. Exciting growing pains
Even the most impressive rookies had their rookie walls. Donovan Mitchell may go down as the best rookie in Jazz history, and it's not like every game he balled out. Peterson shouldn't even be held to that standard because Utah won't count on him like they eventually did with Mitchell.
Expect Peterson to gradually embrace his role, and don't be surprised if he has his fair share of duds. Because he was the Jazz's pick regardless of which one they had in the draft, they should count on him having some stutter steps during his rookie campaign.
That's why this situation is so perfect for him. Even if he looks like the franchise centerpiece the Jazz have been pining for for some time, he's playing for a team that won't count on him to deliver immediately. And if he proves to be more and more NBA ready as time goes on, they'll be more than happy to let him take the reins.
Peterson's development won't always be smooth, but the fact that the Jazz won't care about that this season further shows this will be a season with no concerns to speak of.
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