Jazz Expected to ‘Expediate Its Rebuild' With Star Draft Prospect

Now that the 2026 NBA Combine is a wrap, the days are inching closer and close to the NBA draft. It’s an exciting time when these college hopefully are getting ready to take the next step in their careers.

Plenty of mocks have dropped since Combine, and, in general, they aren’t too different from previous mocks, but they do show some validation at the top and sleeper players climbing up the ladder.

In a mock out on Wednesday, May 20, Isaac Trotter of CBS Sports lays out his picks after Combine. “The NBA Draft Combine provides ample time for gossip and chatter because for a week, everybody in basketball is sequestered in a tight radius around Chicago’s Wintrust Arena,” he states.

He has Darryn Peterson of Kansas going second to the Utah Jazz. What’s exciting is not just that Peterson goes second but what Trotter says about the budding star and what he can bring to the Jazz.

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“Utah can expedite its rebuild in a hurry with a Darryn Peterson addition,” he states in the piece. “The 6-foot-6 combo guard can play on or off the ball next to Keyonte George, and Utah coach Will Hardy can use Peterson in a host of ways. Don’t be surprised if it’s a blend of the off-movement, net shredder that we saw at Kansas with an on-ball primary creator that we saw in high school at Prolific Prep. That malleability makes Peterson so attractive because he can wear a ton of different hats depending on the personnel.”

My Take: Darryn Peterson of Kansas is One of the Draft’s Only Question Marks

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I agree that Peterson to the Jazz is a pick that makes sense and sets this franchise up for a rebuild. But, what’s interesting is that Peterson is one of the few players at the top who is all over the place in mocks. He’s also been linked to the Bulls and Grizzlies countless times, so it’s really an unknown if he lands with the Jazz or elsewhere.

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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 10:46 AM.