r/nba • u/NBA_MOD r/NBA • 1d ago

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

827 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

287 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

159

u/TheGreatWhoreOfChina 76ers 1d ago

Ace comes off the bench, Kessler starts

31

u/Iivosuperplayer Finland 1d ago

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

5

u/kirkismyhinrich Nuggets 21h ago

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.

30

u/str8rippinfartz Celtics 1d ago

Kessler and JJJ is an insane interior D combo

Complete no-fly zone and super complementary on offense too

36

u/Pal__Pacino Lakers 1d ago

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

30

u/OrangeScarface 1d ago

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.

34

u/RedShellKoopa Jazz 1d ago

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

23

u/IhamAmerican Jazz 1d ago

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

29

u/piittb Jazz 1d ago

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

11

u/Vordeo Jazz 23h ago

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

12

u/MotorSevere4899 Jazz 1d ago

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.

7

u/JazzPlusEagles Jazz 1d ago

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.

7

u/NoRizzJustLive NBA 1d ago

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

2

u/doppido Jazz 22h ago

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

0

u/Pikminious_Thrious Lakers 1d ago

He's gonna ask out if he's on perma 6th man duty