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The Darryn Peterson storyline took another turn Monday as two separate reports suggested the Utah Jazz may have met with the Kansas guard privately ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft, despite weeks of belief that Peterson had no interest or desire to visit Salt Lake City.
On his latest podcast, Bill Simmons said he “heard Utah maybe had a secret workout of Peterson this weekend.” While Simmons didn’t specify the format or location, the suggestion alone marks a notable shift in the narrative surrounding Peterson’s pre‑draft process.
Shortly after, Grant Afseth reported that Peterson recently met with the Utah Jazz before traveling to New York City for the draft. The report did not clarify whether the meeting was formal, informal or part of a private workout setting, but it further changes the long‑held assumption that Peterson only wanted to meet with Washington and Memphis.
For weeks, Peterson’s camp was believed to have limited his visits to the Wizards, who hold the No. 1 pick, and the Grizzlies. His decision not to visit Utah became one of the most discussed elements of the pre‑draft cycle, especially with the Jazz holding the No. 2 pick and heavily evaluating Peterson, AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer. Not to mention that Utah is considered to be the best fit for the former Jayhawk.
If Utah did, in fact, meet with Peterson or conduct a private workout, it would mark the first confirmed interaction between the two sides since the pre‑draft process began.
The Jazz have maintained throughout the cycle that they will not be influenced by pre‑draft maneuvering. Last week, Draymond Green echoed that sentiment, saying Utah “doesn’t give a s***” whether Peterson worked out for them and would draft him if he’s the top player on their board.
A private meeting would only further reinforce that Utah remains fully engaged in evaluating Peterson, and that the door is far from closed.
Whether the meeting was a full workout, a medical check‑in or a simple conversation, the timing is notable. Utah is finalizing its board with draft preparation entering its final hours, Washington is still weighing its options at No. 1 and the top of the draft remains a mystery.
If Peterson met with the Jazz before arriving in New York, it signals at a minimum that Peterson’s camp was willing to engage, and regardless of the chatter, the Jazz are keeping every option open at No. 2
With draft night approaching, the Peterson‑Utah dynamic, once thought to be nonexistent, suddenly looks far more complicated.
Continue reading...
On his latest podcast, Bill Simmons said he “heard Utah maybe had a secret workout of Peterson this weekend.” While Simmons didn’t specify the format or location, the suggestion alone marks a notable shift in the narrative surrounding Peterson’s pre‑draft process.
Shortly after, Grant Afseth reported that Peterson recently met with the Utah Jazz before traveling to New York City for the draft. The report did not clarify whether the meeting was formal, informal or part of a private workout setting, but it further changes the long‑held assumption that Peterson only wanted to meet with Washington and Memphis.
For weeks, Peterson’s camp was believed to have limited his visits to the Wizards, who hold the No. 1 pick, and the Grizzlies. His decision not to visit Utah became one of the most discussed elements of the pre‑draft cycle, especially with the Jazz holding the No. 2 pick and heavily evaluating Peterson, AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer. Not to mention that Utah is considered to be the best fit for the former Jayhawk.
If Utah did, in fact, meet with Peterson or conduct a private workout, it would mark the first confirmed interaction between the two sides since the pre‑draft process began.
The Jazz have maintained throughout the cycle that they will not be influenced by pre‑draft maneuvering. Last week, Draymond Green echoed that sentiment, saying Utah “doesn’t give a s***” whether Peterson worked out for them and would draft him if he’s the top player on their board.
A private meeting would only further reinforce that Utah remains fully engaged in evaluating Peterson, and that the door is far from closed.
Whether the meeting was a full workout, a medical check‑in or a simple conversation, the timing is notable. Utah is finalizing its board with draft preparation entering its final hours, Washington is still weighing its options at No. 1 and the top of the draft remains a mystery.
If Peterson met with the Jazz before arriving in New York, it signals at a minimum that Peterson’s camp was willing to engage, and regardless of the chatter, the Jazz are keeping every option open at No. 2
With draft night approaching, the Peterson‑Utah dynamic, once thought to be nonexistent, suddenly looks far more complicated.
Continue reading...
