Jazz Weighing Options as Darryn Peterson Skips Workout Ahead of NBA Draft

With only a week remaining until the 2026 NBA Draft, speculation is rampant throughout the league. Among the latest news, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, who is anticipated to be the second overall pick, has opted not to participate in any workouts or meetings with the Utah Jazz, the team holding that pick. This information was first reported by Shams Charania and Jeremy Woo of ESPN.

According to Tony Jones from The Athletic, the Jazz find themselves "genuinely torn" between selecting Peterson and Cameron Boozer, the standout player from Duke. This uncertainty is particularly interesting given that the Jazz have already secured strong talent in Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen, which complicates Boozer's positional fit with the team.

The Jazz are drawn to Peterson for his elite scoring ability, while they admire Boozer's skills in passing, rebounding, and overall game intelligence. Despite Peterson's lack of a workout with the team, sources have indicated that the Jazz's front office remains undeterred if they have him rated as their second-best prospect. Previous decisions, such as selecting Ace Bailey last year despite a similar situation, suggest Utah may prioritize talent over workout attendance.

Medical assessments of Peterson, who faced injury issues last season, reportedly revealed no significant concerns, allowing teams to view him favorably. While many organizations have Peterson ranked above Boozer due to his higher potential, the Jazz’s recent successful drafting history adds weight to their interest in Boozer.

In addition to the Jazz's situation, other draft news includes Oklahoma City's openness to trade their No. 17 pick, while Miami's potential acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo could alter the status of their No. 13 pick. Meanwhile, Sacramento is keeping a close eye on Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. for the No. 7 pick, although Brooklyn may snag him earlier at No. 6.