New Draft Intel: A change in the Jazz draft preference?

There’s a lot of intel out there with the NBA Draft just a week away. Here’s a look at all the latest stories revolving around the Jazz.

It’s a three-player race for the Jazz at #2

Tony Jones recently reported on the Jazz decision-making process and who they’ll be picking come draft night. According to Tony Jones:

The Utah Jazz are “genuinely torn” between selecting AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer or Darryn Peterson one week away from the NBA Draft, league sources told The Athletic.

Jones goes on to describe what the Jazz like about each player:

Through the draft process, according to league sources, the three prospects have stood out in different ways. Dybantsa, at 6-foot-9, is maybe the most physically imposing of the three, relative to his position. The former BYU star is capable of playing both wing positions, and he’s the giant shooting guard/small forward that almost every team covets. The Jazz are drawn to Peterson’s ability to score at a high level. They love Boozer’s ability to pass, rebound and process the game at a high level.

That Boozer is firmly in the mix at No. 2 is a testament to how much the Jazz like him, being that he isn’t a clean positional fit. The Jazz already have Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen at his position, but Boozer is so talented that it may not matter for the Jazz. They may take him and worry about fit after.

The thing you can most take from this is that the Jazz have a choice between three great prospects, obviously dependent on what the Wizards do. Jones mentions that the Jazz weren’t surprised by Peterson’s decision, and even anticipated it to some level. They’re no stranger to this, and if they are confident that they can sell their organization to any prospect … and Peterson.

Utah’s front office is confident in its ability to sell prospects on the organization’s culture once that drafted prospect is in the building. The Jazz believe this situation won’t be any different.

But this is probably a non-issue, we know that Peterson has said he’s fine being drafted by the Jazz.

The Agent Issue

What is likely the biggest issue, and something we’ve heard more of lately, is that Peterson’s agent might be trying to dissuade Peterson from the Jazz. Why? He’s the same agent as Keyonte George, who is going into a contract season. From Jones:

Behind the scenes, there is some concern on Peterson’s side that he and Jazz point guard Keyonte George share the same agency. But the Jazz firmly believe the two can play together. The teams advancing deep into the playoffs enforced that belief by simultaneously playing multiple ball handlers.

This is definitely the core of everything we’ve seen about Peterson apparently not wanting to go to Utah. In reality, it all likely derives from his agent (which is almost always the reason for all of this). And it may not even necessarily be only about Darryn Peterson. With Keyonte George coming into a contract season, it makes sense that their shared agent would want to help George earn the maximum amount possible.

But like Jones says, there should be no shortage of opportunity for both Peterson and George. Jones mentions that Utah doesn’t have a starting-level shooting guard on the roster and Peterson would be in line for big minutes. The other element that makes things interesting for Utah is that at all times they can make sure that one of Peterson or George is on the floor running the offense.