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The long-and-grueling process was a long one, but in the end, the Utah Jazz got their guy.
After countless rumors emerged suggesting that Utah could look to offer the Washington Wizards a "can't say no" type deal for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to select BYU's AJ Dybantsa — the Jazz stayed at No. 2 and opted for Kansas' Darryn Peterson.
But there was a third potential name that could've ended up in Salt Lake City, that being Duke standout Cam Boozer.
Boozer's father, Carlos, played six seasons in Utah and now serves as a scout for the team. The 18-year-old was named the National College Player of the Year following his lone season as a Blue Devil, ultimately being selected by the Memphis Grizzlies at pick No. 3.
On Thursday, Jazz owner Ryan Smith offered some insight into the decision to pass on Boozer in favor of Peterson at the draft in Brooklyn on Tuesday.
“I love everything about the Boozer family … It’s been an interesting process because he’s [Carlos] got this confidence about his boy, but his boy stands alone. Anyone who’s met Cam Boozer, he’s a contagious personality and I loved our conversations with him,” Smith said on FanDuel’s NBA show, ‘Run It Back.’
Much of the reason Smith and Utah's brass passed on Boozer likely revolves around the current personnel the Jazz boast in the frontcourt. Adding a player like Boozer would've made it hard on head coach Will Hardy to find ways to maximize his rotations.
With Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. locks to be part of Hardy's starting five and Walker Kessler needing a new — potentially expensive — contract, the addition of Boozer would've been tough to justify barring a trade down.
The same can't be said for Peterson, who will fit perfectly next to Keyonte George at the two-spot.
Just because Smith decided against drafting Boozer, that doesn't fully encapsulate the owner's feelings toward the young forward.
“He’s going to be fine wherever he ends up and I think they all know that. He was the youngest player in the draft but he’ll be a veteran on whatever team he shows up on, on day [one].”
The Jazz and Grizzlies will face off three or four times in the 2026-27 campaign, and while it seems like there's nothing but love between the franchise and family, don't be surprised if Boozer appears a little extra motivated come that matchup.
Continue reading...
After countless rumors emerged suggesting that Utah could look to offer the Washington Wizards a "can't say no" type deal for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to select BYU's AJ Dybantsa — the Jazz stayed at No. 2 and opted for Kansas' Darryn Peterson.
But there was a third potential name that could've ended up in Salt Lake City, that being Duke standout Cam Boozer.
Boozer's father, Carlos, played six seasons in Utah and now serves as a scout for the team. The 18-year-old was named the National College Player of the Year following his lone season as a Blue Devil, ultimately being selected by the Memphis Grizzlies at pick No. 3.
On Thursday, Jazz owner Ryan Smith offered some insight into the decision to pass on Boozer in favor of Peterson at the draft in Brooklyn on Tuesday.
“I love everything about the Boozer family … It’s been an interesting process because he’s [Carlos] got this confidence about his boy, but his boy stands alone. Anyone who’s met Cam Boozer, he’s a contagious personality and I loved our conversations with him,” Smith said on FanDuel’s NBA show, ‘Run It Back.’
Much of the reason Smith and Utah's brass passed on Boozer likely revolves around the current personnel the Jazz boast in the frontcourt. Adding a player like Boozer would've made it hard on head coach Will Hardy to find ways to maximize his rotations.
With Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. locks to be part of Hardy's starting five and Walker Kessler needing a new — potentially expensive — contract, the addition of Boozer would've been tough to justify barring a trade down.
The same can't be said for Peterson, who will fit perfectly next to Keyonte George at the two-spot.
Just because Smith decided against drafting Boozer, that doesn't fully encapsulate the owner's feelings toward the young forward.
“He’s going to be fine wherever he ends up and I think they all know that. He was the youngest player in the draft but he’ll be a veteran on whatever team he shows up on, on day [one].”
The Jazz and Grizzlies will face off three or four times in the 2026-27 campaign, and while it seems like there's nothing but love between the franchise and family, don't be surprised if Boozer appears a little extra motivated come that matchup.
Continue reading...
