It's a battle of top picks as Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer are ready to square off.
The Utah Jazz and the Memphis Grizzlies are two teams meeting on the trail while moving in opposite directions. Memphis, after seeing the foundational errors in their foundation of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr, decided to hit the self-destruct button and start over from scratch. Utah, a few years ahead of Memphis in that same process, is finally prepared to hunt for a spot in the Western Conference playoffs behind a roster of exciting young talent and steady veterans.
Both teams selected in the top three of the 2026 NBA Draft. Both teams approach the 2026-27 season in the belief they each have a player capable of delivering an NBA Finals trophy to their respective franchises, neither of which have enjoyed the honor of becoming NBA champions in their history.
For the Utah Jazz, their selection with the second overall pick was Darryn Peterson, a sweet-shooting score-first combo guard with the shooting touch of an angel and the killer's mentality of Michael Myers. He slots comfortably alongside rising star Keyonte George in the back court, and rolls with a remaining projected starting lineup of Ace Bailey, Lauri Markkanen, and Jaren Jackson Jr.
On Memphis' side is Cameron Boozer, son of the former Jazz legend and the reigning National Player of the Year after an outstanding year with the Duke Blue Devils. Yes, Memphis still has Zach Edey hiding somewhere on the injury report, but the Grizzlies believe that this is Boozer's team. A do-it-all player who does it all in a very impressive way, Boozer stands at the center of Memphis' lineup and promises to elevate his teammates in every way imaginable.
Boozer is the analytics darling. Peterson boasts perhaps the most potential of any player in the 2026 class. The two will meet on July 6th in the John M Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah.
I'd like to take a moment to honor some of the players who will emerge as if from the shadows, yet remain relevant for the Jazz in some way.
I'm sending a special shoutout to Taylor Hendricks and Walter Clayton Jr, two former Jazzmen who were critical pieces in bringing Jaren Jackson Jr to Utah. You are missed. You will never be forgotten. Hendricks scored 15 points in 13 minutes in his first Summer League game on July 4th. Clayton received a DNP that night.
Sadly, BYU wing Richie Saunders will not be taking the court at the SLC Summer League as he continues his ACL recovery. Apologies to Utahns anxious to see their hometown hero in NBA threads -- or the Summer League variant, at least.
But this game isn't about who won't be playing, it's about who will be. And after a jaw-dropping 28-point debut from Peterson, all eyes will be on Utah's newest star.
