Post-draft grades continue to prove the Utah Jazz got it right with Darryn Peterson

It is always interesting to see how the No. 2 overall pick handles being deemed as that pick.

Few situations will happen like Darryn Peterson’s. Not many players will go from a bona fide top choice to No. 2 by any other way than a drop in form. You see, on the court Peterson was almost always the best player. And if he wasn’t, it was because he played not fully fit, something that happened towards the end of the season as his numbers slowly tailed off. 

However, it was his injuries that are most likely the culprit for why he didn’t go No. 1. Peterson played in only 24 games, and multiple of those he missed chunks of. Take his duel with eventual No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa as a great reason as to why he fell. 

But since going No. 2 overall, Peterson has quickly become the darling of Utah. He has expressed regret over not being able to be fully fit for KU. He also thanked the fans for sticking by him through it all. 

Utah fans have also gotten their hands on Peterson’s college clips that show his deadly accuracy from deep and next-level IQ. All of these go well with why Christopher Kline of Fansided gave Utah picking Peterson an A grade in his article, “2026 NBA Draft grades for every first-round pick.”

“Don't be shocked when Peterson is playing postseason basketball sooner than later”

“As expected, the Jazz add the cleanest fit on the board in Darryn Peterson, the No. 1 recruit in his high school class and a supremely gifted perimeter scorer,” opens Kline.  

Last season, Peterson put up at least 20 points in 12 of his 24 games. Peterson’s season-high came against TCU, which resulted in a 32-point outing with Peterson ensuring overtime towards the very end with crucial free throws. 

“...He will need to prove that he can rediscover his downhill burst and playmaking ability, but the versatile, scalable offensive skill set — his ability to hit movement 3s and get to his spots off-ball — gives him a high floor.”

Coming out of high school, Peterson was tabbed as a playmaker; however, his 1.6 assists per game at KU tell a different story. Earlier this month, when comparing Peterson to incoming five-star and the nation’s No. 1 player Tyran Stokes, Self said, “They’re different. One’s a shooter-scorer; the other one is all-around, do a little bit of everything,” referring to Stokes as the “all-around.”

“The Jazz can add Peterson next to Keyonte George in the backcourt, with a star-studded frontcourt already in place. Utah is building toward something special. Don't be shocked when Peterson is playing postseason basketball sooner than later.” 

The Utah Jazz haven’t made the NBA Playoffs since the 2021-22 season under former coach Quin Snyder. Since then, Will Hardy has taken the mantle and simply hasn’t had the core strong enough to compete. But with Peterson, George, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen all joining forces, then even in a loaded Western Conference, Kline is not being presumptuous

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