The name most associated with the Utah Jazz since they got the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft has been Darryn Peterson. He didn't have the smoothest freshman year in Kansas, but the talent is undeniable. So much so that now it's come out that Peterson won't even work out for the Jazz because he believes Washington will take him first overall.
ESPN's Shams Charania confirmed exactly this earlier this morning.
Developments ahead of the June 23-24 NBA draft: BYU's AJ Dybantsa has conducted formal visits with both the Washington Wizards (No. 1) and Utah Jazz (No. 2) while Kansas' Darryn Peterson only visited the Wizards and does not plan to grant anyone else a meeting, sources tell me…
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 15, 2026
KSL Sports' Ben Anderson added to this report, revealing that Peterson and his camp are "very confident they are going #1."
This isn't the first time it's been mentioned that Peterson could go No. 1. Because we're now getting more and more buzz indicating that he might just be who the Wizards pick, that also likely means the Jazz get the player everyone knows they would prefer by now: AJ Dybantsa.
Yeah, the Jazz don't necessarily need a wing like him, but he is such a rare, high-upside prospect whose familiarity with Utah would make it so that he'd likely stay for the long haul. Because he'd be joining a playoff-ready team with the Jazz, he could start his NBA career as a winner.
It's why this Peterson news isn't really all that bad for Utah because it paves the way for Dybantsa to become a Jazzman, which is what many people want.
It's not even that Peterson doesn't want Utah
Anderson clarified in that same report that despite Peterson's recent actions, it's nothing against the Jazz at all. In fact, he still is in touch with Utah even if he won't work out for them.
"Despite that expectation, there has been 'plenty of communication' between the Jazz and Peterson, and the Kansas guard was not 'trying to avoid Utah at all,'" Anderson wrote.
So it's very possible they may draft him anyway, which he won't take much issue with should he be available at No. 2. However, it sounds like he doesn't just think that won't be the case. He's positive that Washington will take him No. 1.
Reports like these further emphasize that Utah has absolutely nothing to worry about when draft night happens in 11 days. They'll either take Peterson or Dybantsa (or by some outside chance, Cameron Boozer) when it's their turn to pick and they'll be happy with whoever they get.
No matter who it is, Utah will definitely have the mindset of "shoot first, ask questions later." There's no reason to think that's the wrong one to have.
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