Sources: Darryn Peterson’s Camp Eyes No. 1 Pick, Prefers Not Landing With Utah Jazz

Kansas guard Darryn Peterson does not plan to work out for the Utah Jazz ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft, and his camp believes he has a real chance to be selected No. 1 by the Washington Wizards and prefers he not land with Utah, sources told Dallas Hoops Journal.

The Wizards have centered their pre-draft work on Peterson and BYU wing AJ Dybantsa, and they are open to trading the No. 1 pick, sources told Dallas Hoops Journal. A final decision has yet to be made about who will be selected first, but both are viewed as viable candidates.

Peterson has steered his process toward Washington and away from Utah, a contrast with Dybantsa, who has held formal visits with both the Wizards and the Jazz, sources said. Additionally, while Peterson believes he’s the best player in this draft, if he doesn’t go first, his camp would rather he end up with the Memphis Grizzlies, who pick No. 3, than with Utah at No. 2.

Whether It Matters to the Utah Jazz

The Jazz are fans of Duke forward Cameron Boozer‘s game and have brought him on a visit, sources told Dallas Hoops Journal. Taking him would crowd an already deep frontcourt. Utah acquired Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Grizzlies in a midseason trade, already has Lauri Markkanen, and wants to re-sign restricted free agent Walker Kessler. Whether that logjam deters the Jazz from choosing Boozer remains to be seen.

There is also precedent for Utah ignoring what a prospect’s camp prefers. In the 2025 NBA Draft, the Jazz selected Ace Bailey at No. 5 even though his camp, then led by Omar Cooper, tried steering him toward the Wizards at No. 6, sources said. Bailey reported to Utah without incident and has since changed representation, parting ways with Cooper before his rookie season.

Darryn Peterson’s Draft Profile

Peterson, a 6-foot-5 guard, averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists as a freshman at Kansas, shooting 43.8% from the field and 38.2% from 3-point range. He missed 11 games with injuries and has said he was not fully healthy during his lone college season, though he maintains he is at full strength now.

Peterson has garnered positive feedback from teams throughout the NBA Draft process for his dedication to working on his body and his game, sources told Dallas Hoops Journal. Additionally, the intel about him as a teammate and locker room personality has been positive from former Kansas teammates.

Scouts have compared his scoring to Anthony Edwards, citing his shot-making off the dribble and his upside as a defender, and a large segment of evaluators still considers him the most talented player in the class.

The Wizards earned the No. 1 pick after a deliberate tear-down, sitting Trae Young and Anthony Davis down the stretch to protect their lottery position. Peterson’s preference is clear. Whether it shapes where he lands is up to the teams at the top of the 2026 NBA Draft, which runs June 23-24 in Brooklyn.

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