Utah’s lottery pick is already silencing doubters. Experts predict Peterson’s high-volume scoring role and offensive freedom will catapult him past top draft peers in the awards race.
Darryn Peterson still hasn't played an NBA regular-season game ... but that hasn't stopped expectations from soaring.
Following an impressive showing at NBA Summer League, several of The Athletic's NBA writers identified the Utah Jazz rookie as their early favorite to win the 2026-27 Rookie of the Year award. While No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa received the most support from the panel, Peterson wasn't far behind.
The reasoning behind their selections painted a clear picture of how the league views Utah's newest franchise cornerstone.
The panel wasn't simply betting on Peterson's talent but rather on his opportunity.
Tony Jones, who covers the Jazz for The Athletic, believes Peterson will immediately step into one of the largest roles of any rookie this season.
"Peterson will start from day one in Utah, much like Dybantsa and Boozer in their respective cities," Jones wrote. "Peterson has the best chance to be the one scoring 20 points a night, and he's the one with the best chance to play meaningful basketball this season. Those factors should ultimately get him the Rookie of the Year nod."
Jason Jones shared a similar outlook, arguing Peterson's situation could give him an advantage over some of his fellow lottery picks.
"This is not a knock on Dybantsa, but he's playing with Trae Young and Anthony Davis, so he might not have the same opportunities as Peterson, who doesn't have an established star in the backcourt," Jones wrote.
Jason Quick pointed to what Peterson displayed during Summer League.
"Peterson's combination of confidence, skill and variety to his game made him stand out at NBA Summer League," Quick wrote. "His ability to create his own shot puts him a notch above what appears to be a bumper class of rookies."
But the praise didn't stop there.
Jon Krawczynski believes Peterson landed in an ideal situation with a young Jazz team capable of surprising people in the Western Conference, while Dan Woike predicted Utah's climb back toward playoff contention would likely coincide with Peterson becoming the player the organization drafted him to be.
Those projections align with everything Utah has signaled since selecting Peterson with the No. 2 overall pick.
The Jazz haven't approached the 19-year-old like a long-term developmental project. Between his expected starting role and the offensive freedom he showcased in Las Vegas, Peterson appears poised to become one of the focal points of Utah's offensive attack from opening night.
Remember: awards aren't won in July, and preseason predictions rarely age perfectly.
But still ... it's difficult to ignore how quickly the conversation surrounding Peterson has changed.
Less than two months after hearing his name called on draft night, the debate is no longer whether he'll be one of the NBA's best rookies.
It's whether he'll be the best.
