Former Jazz Coach Invokes Stockton, Williams Comparisons, But Darryn Peterson Has His Own Plans

John Stockton is the NBA's all-time assists leader. Darryn Peterson averaged 1.6 assists per game at Kansas.

So naturally, the two have ended up in the same conversation about the Utah Jazz's future.

Former Utah coach Tyrone Corbin knows a thing or two about the franchise's history at point guard. He played alongside Stockton in the 1990s and coached Deron Williams before taking over for Jerry Sloan in 2011.

Now he's hoping Peterson can add his name to that list.

Corbin told Kyle Odegard that Utah has a history of building around talented point guards, pointing to Stockton and Williams as examples.

"Hopefully that continues with him," Corbin said.

That's quite a pair of names to put alongside a 19-year-old who hasn't played his first regular-season NBA game.

But Peterson's path to joining them looks a little different.

The No. 2 overall pick averaged 20.2 points while shooting 38.2% from three during his lone season at Kansas. His offensive game revolves around creating shots, whether he's pulling up from deep, working into the midrange or attacking defenders off the dribble.

The passing numbers? Well … those weren't quite as impressive.

Corbin wasn't asking Peterson to become Stockton. His comments speak to Utah's history of building successful teams around talented guards.

And this time, there's another guard who might have something to say about that.

Keyonte George averaged 23.6 points and 6.1 assists last season, earning a five-year, $157.5 million extension in September. Utah has made a substantial investment in its former first-round pick, who suddenly has another young scorer competing for touches.

For Will Hardy, that presents a challenge worth watching.

George has developed into a productive offensive creator. Peterson arrives with the expectations that come with being the second player selected in the draft.

Both can handle the ball, generate their own offense and make defenses uncomfortable.

But how often will they get to do those things together?

George could initiate possessions while Peterson works away from the ball, using his shooting to create space. On the next trip down, Peterson could handle the action while George looks for an opportunity to attack.

Simple enough on paper. Add Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ace Bailey to the equation … and Hardy has quite a few offensive mouths to feed.

The two guards have already built a relationship away from basketball. Figuring out how to complement each other on the floor will be another matter.

Fortunately, the Jazz have some experience building around scoring guards.

Donovan Mitchell helped lead Utah to five consecutive playoff appearances, earning three All-Star selections along the way. His game looked nothing like Stockton's, and nobody seemed particularly concerned about that when the Jazz were winning.

Peterson doesn't need to become a traditional point guard to justify Corbin's optimism.

His college assist numbers reflect the role he played at Kansas, and there should be opportunities to expand his responsibilities in Utah.

But the rookie won't be developing in a vacuum. George has established himself as a major part of the franchise's future, and Hardy has to find room for both to grow.

Corbin remembers a franchise that found success building around Stockton and Williams. This version of the Jazz has two young guards with the potential to shape its next successful era.

Stockton and Williams set a pretty high standard.

Hardy's job is to make sure Peterson and George can chase it together — without either having to sacrifice what makes him special.