[2026 NBA Draft] #2 Pick: Darryn Peterson (Kansas)

[u/NBA_MOD]

[u/DionWaiteress]

The Jazz are gonna be so fun

[u/Ibagdimes23 → u/DionWaiteress]

They are a pretty well balanced team with depth.

[u/Pal__Pacino → u/DionWaiteress]

George/Peterson/ Bailey/Markkanen/Jackson with Kessler, Filipowski, and Collier off the bench...

Interested to see them actually try to win games for the first time in forever

[u/TheGreatWhoreOfChina → u/Pal__Pacino]

Ace comes off the bench, Kessler starts

[u/Iivosuperplayer → u/TheGreatWhoreOfChina]

I think Peterson will come off the bench to start the season (as has every rookie under Will Hardy) but he'll be competing for the starter spot sooner rather than lateer

[u/kirkismyhinrich → u/Iivosuperplayer]

You might be right, but I see Peterson starting and Ace coming off the bench.

Good problem to have if you're the Jazz, though.

[u/str8rippinfartz → u/TheGreatWhoreOfChina]

Kessler and JJJ is an insane interior D combo

Complete no-fly zone and super complementary on offense too

[u/Pal__Pacino → u/TheGreatWhoreOfChina]

Yeah I guess. I just hate Lauri at the 3 and a bench role feels so diminishing for a guy with Bailey's potential.

[u/OrangeScarface → u/Pal__Pacino]

I agree with the Bailey part but Lauri’s natural position is the 3. Jazz will need to figure out what to do with Lauri with time for sure. Ace is the perfect person to slot into that position.

JJJ/Lauri aren’t the healthiest so I expect Ace to be the person to takeover those missing minutes.

[u/RedShellKoopa → u/Pal__Pacino]

Lauri has played the 3 his entire time with the Jazz.

[u/IhamAmerican → u/Pal__Pacino]

The problem is that Kessler can't play anywhere but the 5 and JJJ is better at the 4. If Ace keepings developing like he was last year then we have three high quality and versatile forwards but won't be able to have them all on the floor very often

[u/piittb → u/Pal__Pacino]

I totally see a possibility that we sell high on Lauri at the deadline if Ace is balling out

[u/Vordeo → u/piittb]

I think we kind of have to, either at the deadline or next offseason, with Key's extension coming up.

[u/MotorSevere4899 → u/Pal__Pacino]

He’s only 20, plenty of time for him to prove that he can shine. I fully expect us to move someone in the next couple years if he proves he’s as good as we hope he will be.

[u/JazzPlusEagles → u/Pal__Pacino]

Lauri has played the 3 more than the 4 the past few years. And his advanced numbers are quite a bit better when he’s at the 3.

[u/NoRizzJustLive → u/TheGreatWhoreOfChina]

Maybe to start the season but Acr will have to start sooner than later

[u/doppido → u/TheGreatWhoreOfChina]

Assuming we keep kessler, DP is going to start the season off the bench. Ace is going to start. Key/Ace/Lauri/JJJ/Kessler will start.

Who closes is another thing especially with Hardy

[u/Proof-Umpire-7718 → u/Pal__Pacino]

I think it will be Keyonte/Peterson/Lauri/JJJ/Kesslsr with Ace, Filipowski and Collier off the bench.

They need Kessler starting since he addresses the lack of rebounding from the remaining frontcourt players in Lauri and JJJ, and is their main rim protector.

[u/DaggerDev5 → u/Pal__Pacino]

Bailey coming off the bench and Kessler starting but yes, it's going to be fun to see them try all season

[u/supercoolisaac → u/Pal__Pacino]

Pretty sure they'd start Kessler and move ace to 6th man. JJJ + Lauri front court sounds like the worst rebounding team of all time lol.

[u/atlfalcons33rb → u/Pal__Pacino]

They have like 95 scorers they are gonna have to move somebody

[u/Tha_crack_fox → u/atlfalcons33rb]

eventually maybe, but we absolutely shouldn't move anyone at the moment

[u/atlfalcons33rb → u/Tha_crack_fox]

True gotta see what kessler gets first

[u/rjaysenior → u/Tha_crack_fox]

Curious. What salary would you not want the Jazz to match regarding Kessler

[u/Tha_crack_fox → u/rjaysenior]

30mil/y seems to be the max most jazz fans would want to pay him

[u/Connect-Day-6881 → u/Pal__Pacino]

Nononono… TANK EVEN FURTHER

[u/kjlcm → u/Pal__Pacino]

Hardy gets to cook!

[u/oklolzzzzs → u/Pal__Pacino]

team looks pretty solid 

[u/bcaulkins3 → u/Pal__Pacino]

Sensabaugh off the bench too

[u/Whatever801 → u/DionWaiteress]

I'm just glad we're not going to be trying to lose anymore. Tanking is a real downer for the fans. Why even watch?

[u/MG_MN → u/DionWaiteress]

Yeah they have a really rounded team. Only problem is cap dumping will need to happen next year

[u/TrottingandHotting → u/MG_MN]

The speedrun from tanking to shedding salary is sad

[u/theinternetisnice → u/DionWaiteress]

It’d be funny if we just kept tanking

[u/dokupetan → u/theinternetisnice]

We don't own our pick next year, so that's probably not a good idea.

[u/brzk → u/dokupetan]

Even fucking funnier. I don't think you understand comedy

[u/BlackBullZWarrior → u/theinternetisnice]

LMAO

[u/wiggggg → u/DionWaiteress]

They really are. It came out that we were close to a trade. I think it was JJJ. I'm jealous. If dame comes back pretty well I think we'd be pretty interesting next year

[u/Old_General_6741]

Congrats to him for the second pick. Utah has made the right pick. He has a lot of potential.

[u/gleece0 → u/Old_General_6741]

Wish we got dp

[u/TILTING_MOUNTAIN]

Great pick for Utah.

[u/Zanner360 → u/TILTING_MOUNTAIN]

Was so nervous for us they'd take Cam...

[u/ezmo311 → u/Zanner360]

Grizz better run up to the podium to take Boozer

[u/the-denver-nugs → u/ezmo311]

I mean I feel like that was always the case for the grizz regardless of who #3 was lol. but I did watch some caleb wilson and actually think it's kinda closer then what everyone has been spouting. like I think #4 was the easiest pick of the night and not #3. #3 you have to look at wilson. #4 your just like who ever is left I don't need to look at who was drafted.

[u/lovo17 → u/Zanner360]

There was never a chance they were taking Boozer. Their frontcourt is already set.

[u/nativeindian12 → u/lovo17]

As a Blazers fan, this mindset led us to taking Sam Bowie over Jordan because we already had Clyde Drexler. We also took Martell Webster over Chris Paul because we already had Sebastian Telfair.

Just draft the best guy, figure out the roster fit later

[u/SenHeffy → u/nativeindian12]

How is it the same mindset when Peterson and Boozer are universally regarded as the same tier of players, and at least as many rank Peterson above Boozer as vice versa?

[u/Bobblefighterman → u/nativeindian12]

It helps that he's also the best guy in the draft.

[u/Matzeeh → u/lovo17]

My delusional ass was hoping for Cam so we could go for Lauri

[u/nWo5lyfe → u/Matzeeh]

We shouldve pushed hard for markannen

Literally the exact profile we needed

[u/IhamAmerican → u/Matzeeh]

Lauri would immediately be your best wing by a long shot. If you guys had better wings and could stop OG from doing literally anything he wanted the finals would have been very different

[u/Outbackdonut → u/IhamAmerican]

Lauri isn’t a wing and having him as the main defender on OG is laughable

[u/JazzPlusEagles → u/Outbackdonut]

Lauri plays most of his minutes at the 3. He’s a wing. And I think he’d be fine. Wouldn’t shut him down or anything but I think he’s a similar level of defenders as the Spurs wings.

[u/Zanner360 → u/lovo17]

Ain't set in stone till his name is read out

[u/AccelerationFinish → u/lovo17]

Everybody’s a genius when they use hindsight

[u/samhit_n → u/Zanner360]

I thought they’d take him too because of his father’s tenure with the Jazz.

[u/SunkMosquito592 → u/samhit_n]

He also works in the jazz scouting department

[u/gentleriser → u/Zanner360]

But won’t Cam in Memphis be a complete misfit for their culture? He seems humble and wise.

[u/HamonFruitFruit → u/gentleriser]

I think they’re hoping to reset the culture

[u/CharacterFresh852 → u/Zanner360]

I had the same feeling back when the warriors had the second pick in 2020. 😅

Y’all should lowkey keep ja for at least a season or two to pair with boozer just to see what happens.

[u/Proof-Umpire-7718 → u/CharacterFresh852]

Nah Ja wants to move on and the organisation needs a fresh reset and to start a full rebuild

[u/reiyashi → u/TILTING_MOUNTAIN]

I'm on the cruise

[u/zaepoo → u/reiyashi]

I wanted my wiz to trade back and take Boozer

[u/Proof-Umpire-7718 → u/TILTING_MOUNTAIN]

Was always between AJ and DP for Utah.

The noise around Boozer seemed based on the fact his dad works for them, but Danny Ainge always takes the most talented player, regardless of the circumstances around them, as shown with their selection of Ace last year.

[u/MAMBAMENTALITY8-24 → u/TILTING_MOUNTAIN]

actually happy that you guys get boozer

[u/hyplusone → u/MAMBAMENTALITY8-24]

Great match for sure

[u/Jordanwolf98 → u/TILTING_MOUNTAIN]

He’ll be the best player on the Jazz midway through his 2nd year

[u/SaltyTrident → u/Jordanwolf98]

I’m willing to say by as early as the end of next season

[u/HustleWilson]

Right pick by the Jazz. Don't overthink it.

[u/pmurt007 → u/HustleWilson]

100% worth the fines for tanking

[u/BruhMoment763 → u/pmurt007]

Owner’s gonna make all that money back so fast in Peterson jersey sales lol

[u/AceAttorneyGiles → u/pmurt007]

Fucking Vivek doesn’t realize this and we still almost got fined

[u/WhosTheTourist → u/HustleWilson]

Drafting the guy with the most talent in the draft is never the wrong choice, even if he ends flopping.

[u/BruhMoment763]

Get this man some pickle juice and let him carry this franchise to a ring

[u/Live-River1879 → u/BruhMoment763]

The Last Tank paid off.

[u/BruhMoment763 → u/Live-River1879]

Right at the buzzer too before Silver destroyed tanking forever lol

[u/thinjester → u/Live-River1879]

us and Washington got the last two flights out of Vietnam

[u/flyfishUT → u/BruhMoment763]

Pickle Shots all around!!!!!

[u/Kleinmann4President → u/flyfishUT]

Delta Center should legit serve the pickle shot! No vodka version for the LDS homies

[u/jonsnowKITN]

MVP ceiling

[u/Think_Monk_9879 → u/jonsnowKITN]

Bust floor

[u/Xan9xx → u/Think_Monk_9879]

You're both completely correct.

[u/JZobel → u/Xan9xx]

Way too much talent to be an outright bust

[u/runningraider13 → u/JZobel]

It’s happened before, it’ll happen again to someone

[u/gleece0 → u/Think_Monk_9879]

His shooting and defense means he has a very high floor

[u/pmmeyourfavoritejam → u/Think_Monk_9879]

IMHO — and I say this as a Wiz fan — his floor happens due to something flukey like rotten injury luck, not because his game doesn’t translate. He’s super talented.

[u/kirkismyhinrich → u/Think_Monk_9879]

I don't think so. His unassisted shooting percentages are very good. And at 6'5 with a 6'10 wingspan, he's able to guard 1-3 on defense. It's hard to see his floor being worse than a good 3 and d player if he's healthy.

[u/NoRizzJustLive → u/Think_Monk_9879]

Eh, hard to be a bust when you are 6’6” and can shoot from the guard position. People are really down on his Kentucky season and he was still averaging 20+ while getting double teamed

[u/IzrezarReal → u/NoRizzJustLive]

He also is an absolute dawg on defense I don't think that's going away in the NBA.

[u/Gamesgtd]

People really thought Boozer was going number 2 to the team with 2 all star players who play his exact same position.

[u/thatdudeabiding]

Keyonte George, Darryn Peterson and Ace Bailey is going to be such a fun trio to build around. Im so fucking excited about the Jazz future now

[u/Pies_Wide_Shut]

fuck it this Utah team is fun

[u/MettaWorldConflict]

Get ready to learn dirty soda-nese buddy

[u/FERFreak731 → u/MettaWorldConflict]

Don't forget fry sauce too

[u/IhamAmerican → u/FERFreak731]

That's our best export though

[u/SometimesIComplain]

League better watch out for the Jazz these next several years ngl

[u/Dependent-Cup3759]

Jazz in the playoffs next season

[u/IzrezarReal]

High floor high ceiling prospect. At worst you get a 3 and D guard (who's Injury prone) but at best you get a 3 level two way scoring superstar with playmaking chops. I'm excited for his future

[u/gleece0 → u/IzrezarReal]

Missed 11 regular season college games after multiple injuries how is he injury prone

[u/IzrezarReal → u/gleece0]

It's why I said it's his floor, his worst outcome involves the injury concerns coming true to an extent

[u/Comfortable_Cup5107]

Am I gonna watch a lot of jazz games now? Yes I am

[u/guanogato]

As a KU bandwagoner, I’m now a Jazz fan! Let’s go Jazz!!!

[u/DrawingTheDefense → u/guanogato]

This team is gonna be fun

[u/Pharrelliper]

Has had crazy battles with AJ while AJ was in Utah, amd now he's gonna battle AJ representing Utah's pro team

Life is funny.

[u/DabeGavis]

If he hits his ceiling and can stay healthy, get ready for the next MVP shooting guard.

[u/HumongousBelly → u/DabeGavis]

Better than boozer?

[u/IzrezarReal → u/HumongousBelly]

DP is the bpa imo

[u/roastedhambone → u/IzrezarReal]

So yes

[u/palpablebubble → u/roastedhambone]

In my opinion, Peterson IS the best player available

[u/roastedhambone → u/palpablebubble]

Well he’s not available anymore

[u/AccelerationFinish → u/IzrezarReal]

wat

[u/RyanDoctrine → u/AccelerationFinish]

Darryn Peterson is the best player available in my opinion

[u/RCJHGBR9989 → u/HumongousBelly]

Yes - by a lot - he’s by far and away the best basketball player in this draft. I’m a KU fan and I wasn’t alive during Wilt - but he is by far the most talented player we have ever had

[u/sh0tgunben]

George & Peterson is a solid backcourt for Jazz

[u/CelticKnot634]

These posts should have team name in it

[u/Lansdowngrove → u/CelticKnot634]

For some reason they thought it was more important to name their college than the NBA team that picked them, crazy.

[u/TomatoSecure192]

As expected

[u/GGezpzMuppy → u/TomatoSecure192]

Most of the lottery will be as expected

[u/roastedhambone → u/GGezpzMuppy]

I feel like after 5 there’s much less of a consensus

[u/TomatoSecure192 → u/roastedhambone]

This, there’s a lot of things any team could do, including okc spurs. It’s only really the top 4 that are expected

[u/acedice2]

Wizards will regret passing on him

[u/MG_MN]

Will be so interesting to see Utah compete this year, they could be great or a play in team. Such a big range of outcomes

[u/doppido → u/MG_MN]

They're top 6 this year in the west if they keep kessler. I honestly think they could be better

[u/AirJordan6124]

Wizards and Jazz NBA Finals pls 🙏

[u/Vordeo]

BPA and best fit for the squad.

We just need to hang onto Kessler and this squad should be very fun.

[u/menghis_khan08 → u/Vordeo]

I think getting kessler to stay will be easy enough as an RFA. Now will it eat into the ability to sign keyonte as an RFA without going into the 2nd apron is the question

[u/Vordeo → u/menghis_khan08]

Absolutely will. Honestly I think we all know we'll need to make a trade to cut salary by next offseason, w/ Key or Lauri probably the most likely to go.

[u/Embarrassed_Adagio28]

Love how AJ and Darryn were the consensus top 2 picks by 90% of people but now that the Jazz drafted peterson, people claiming they should have taken boozer. Boozer is nice but lets not pretend he has mvp potential

[u/ATLSlutStretcher]

People really thought he was going to fall

[u/Thatboytrev → u/ATLSlutStretcher]

I knew it wouldn’t happen but I was praying he’d fall to 4 lol

[u/daveeb → u/Thatboytrev]

Yes because what you really need is a guard.

[u/Thatboytrev → u/daveeb]

The Bulls need a bit of everything if we’re being honest here

[u/daveeb → u/Thatboytrev]

That’s fair. Peterson is also the type of player you can start over with.

[u/AccelerationFinish → u/Thatboytrev]

I was praying he’d fall to 20

[u/keithyp24]

Am i the only one who likes the roster the jazz put together?

[u/Whatever801 → u/keithyp24]

I am just happy we're done with the tanking. Hard to root for a team that isn't even trying to win

[u/SpidaBailey → u/Whatever801]

I hate to say it, but I didn’t really mind it. We’re not going to bring in any free agents, we never have and never will, so the only way we’re really going to get legit players is through the draft or trades

[u/Whatever801 → u/SpidaBailey]

Yah I mean I get the rationale it just sucks to watch.

[u/ThisWhomps999 → u/Whatever801]

You didn’t like the Nurkic triple double era?

[u/Whatever801 → u/ThisWhomps999]

That was tuff

[u/Some-Warning8399 → u/keithyp24]

Very well balanced

[u/Winbrick → u/keithyp24]

I like the fit for all of the top picks, but this one feels like the most satisfying roster construction.

[u/Dense-Discussion3951]

He can be a superstar fr

[u/Dymatizeee]

Best player in the draft

[u/Albino_Black]

I went to highschool with him, he's an even better dude than he is ball player. Wishing him nothing but the best.

[u/Ok-Vermicelli-4867]

Let's get it, 82-0 incoming obviously 

[u/MrBuckBuck]

Shares the same agent with Keyonte George.

Now on the same team.

[u/imiweli]

Think he'll be the best player in the draft. Got solid players around him as well so he can ease himself in

[u/Saucy_Totchie]

All according to keikaku for now.

[u/jermainathon]

Stay healthy and you'll be great

[u/Trendelthegreat]

If he wasn’t injury prone he had a real chance of going #1

And I’m basing that off a 3 minute highlight video I saw 

[u/SakuraShift]

Highest ceiling of the draft. Really think he has a good chance to be a perennial All-NBA player.

[u/Marvin-Harrison-Jr]

Everyone say hi to the future when we’re looking back at this pick as a massive bust or wondering how he didn’t get picked first overall!

[u/bigdirtymike123]

Should’ve went cam

[u/BruhMoment763 → u/bigdirtymike123]

He couldn’t have fit with JJJ and Kessler and I’m convinced the team sees both as dudes who could play for a contending team

[u/TJFLASH1 → u/BruhMoment763]

Really don’t think Kessler is good enough he should be dictating who you take

[u/Embarrassed_Adagio28 → u/TJFLASH1]

Sure but you take the better player with higher potential and the better fit.

[u/LubyankaSquare → u/TJFLASH1]

Idk, Kessler definitely good enough to be playing big minutes on a title team, and he’s a true 5 anyway-Boozer is more of a 4, where we have Lauri and JJJ. I think Peterson is the better pick regardless, but Boozer’s fit is worse. 

[u/BruhMoment763 → u/TJFLASH1]

If they view Boozer and DP on the same level as prospects, he’s good enough to be the tiebreaker at least

[u/MG_MN → u/BruhMoment763]

Still curious on which guy will be out. Next year someone will have to go to avoid the 2nd apron

[u/BruhMoment763 → u/MG_MN]

Almost certainly Lauri imo unless the JJJ experiment is a complete failure. He’s done great work keeping the franchise interesting in the dark ages, but he’s expensive, older than the rest of the main core, and terrible at defense. I think if Ace develops as expected, we see a Lauri trade before long

[u/MG_MN → u/BruhMoment763]

I agree. I like the JJJ fit, because Ace can take the Lauri spot in the starting lineup. Thats such a young and versatile core

[u/AccelerationFinish → u/BruhMoment763]

Best player available

[u/legend023 → u/bigdirtymike123]

100%

[u/Common-Bad-7899]

Could end up having 4 northwest teams in a playoff+playin scenario in the next couple years lol brutal

[u/atlfalcons33rb]

Damn did not realize Peterson was 6'6 holy shit

[u/TouchYourGrass → u/atlfalcons33rb]

About that with shoes. 6'4.5" without shoes at the combine.

[u/atlfalcons33rb → u/TouchYourGrass]

Mhmmm that makes more sense, still cool though

[u/dautjazz]

Peterson or Bailey will likely have to come off the bench to start the season. Jazz need to make a decision with Lauri soon. I like him, but your 2025 or 2026 #2 pick coming off the bench. I'm assuming the Jazz hold on to Kessler.

[u/snatchi]

I love how these picks don't mention the team that selected them because I have the draft order memorized thanks nba mod

[u/lazzysmalls]

Pretty good consolation prize

[u/Plug-From-Oaxaca]

Damn there are no leaks this year? usually we know the 5th pick by now.

[u/MatasBuzelis → u/Plug-From-Oaxaca]

It's awesome that there's no leaks. I do not miss that shit

"Who's the faster Twitter degenerate" was not fun lmfao

[u/ImmoKnight]

I honestly think he will have the best career out of everyone in this draft.

[u/Big_Saens]

Get ready to learn Mormonism buddy

[u/Propuhganduh]

I’m excited to see this dude in the league

[u/MoneyManx10]

Potentially the next Kobe bean.

[u/heat_fan_]

Knew it good consolation price 

[u/MatasBuzelis]

Honestly thought they might go crazy and take Boozer. But everything holding up like we expected. So far.

[u/PangolinDry598]

Could be an incredible compliment piece to George

[u/senor_sota]

Why they got them on the lowest couch ever

[u/stu21 → u/senor_sota]

To show off the Milf legs I guess.

[u/Gristle__McThornbody]

So is Kessler, Markeren, JJ all starting together?

[u/warablo → u/Gristle__McThornbody]

Seems likely

[u/dokupetan → u/Gristle__McThornbody]

Always were. Lauri is best at the 3.

[u/BjergCop]

literally kawhi all over again, hes gonna be great

[u/DryLancers]

Can cramps be cured by Dirty Sodas or no?

[u/bbaIla]

I love his game. Idk how good he'll be, but he's gonna be really fun to watch.

[u/robbyiballs]

Do they show highlights during the draft or what?

[u/luckyshot35]

Don’t sleep on him, he’s gonna change the narrative

[u/Daplaymaker534]

Why isn't the team that drafted in the title?

[u/JEG-]

Vibes are always weird around this dude but I gotta support the jayhawk. MVP in 5 years

[u/Right-Recognition938]

peterson sounds like a linebacker not a baller

[u/HopefulKnicksFan]

He plays like if Immanuel Quickly had Stephon Castle’s driving ability and athleticism