NBA Draft 2026: The Jazz Torn Between Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer

The NBA Draft 2026 is fast approaching, and Utah has still not made up its mind. Holding the 2nd pick, the Salt Lake City franchise finds itself in an uncomfortable position, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic: the Jazz are « genuinely torn » between Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke center Cameron Boozer, and potentially A.J. Dybantsa if Washington were to spring a surprise.

The Utah Jazz are ‘genuinely torn’ between selecting AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer or Darryn Peterson one week away from the NBA Draft, per @Tjonesonthenba pic.twitter.com/wsf6jIpn3C

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 16, 2026

Peterson Snubs the Jazz, Utah Doesn’t Care

Darryn Peterson, widely projected as the 2nd pick of this draft, refused to travel to Salt Lake City for a private workout. Yet that decision doesn’t seem to carry much weight with the Jazz. According to multiple league sources cited by NBC Sports, Danny Ainge and Utah’s front office « couldn’t care less »: if Peterson is ranked second on their board, they will select him without hesitation.

History is repeating itself. Last year, Ace Bailey tried the same strategy by refusing to work out with the Jazz. The result: Utah drafted him anyway, and Bailey had a solid rookie season, establishing himself as an important piece of the rebuilding project.

It is also worth noting that Peterson and Keyonte George share the same agency (Wasserman) and both want to play point guard — a detail that may explain part of this saga.

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Boozer, a Talent Too Good to Ignore?

While Peterson remains at the top of many teams’ projections, Cameron Boozer has established himself as a serious alternative in the eyes of the Jazz. Utah particularly appreciates his ability to pass, rebound, and read the game. However, the son of former All-Star Carlos Boozer is not an ideal fit for the franchise, which already has Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen in the frontcourt.

But the Duke center’s talent could override those tactical considerations. As Bleacher Report notes, his father spent nearly half his career in Utah and was selected twice for the All-Star Game there — a symbolic connection.

Ace Bailey says he had « no idea » Jazz were going to draft him 5th overall

He declined to workout for them during the pre-draft process 😅

(via @JakeLFischer) pic.twitter.com/8oNpZ1oBl7

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 26, 2025

Furthermore, a potential trade to move up to the 1st pick and select Dybantsa appears unlikely. Washington would demand a « massive » offer to move, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, and sources consulted by NBC Sports see no significant gap between Dybantsa and Peterson to justify such an investment.

Whatever happens, the Jazz seem assured of coming away with a top-tier talent. The 2026 class is considered one of the best in years, and the top five picks all project as future starters in the NBA.