Washington’s staggering demand for the first pick forces Utah to weigh the cost of Ace Bailey against a chance to pair Darryn Peterson with Keyonte George.
As the 2026 NBA Draft inches closer and closer, the requirements for a blockbuster trade between the Washington Wizards and the Utah Jazz seem to grow clearer. However, with each passing day, Jazz fans seem to be rallying heavily behind the franchise picking Kansas’ Darryn Peterson with the second pick, and for good reason.
AJ Dybantsa is, without a doubt, a talent any team would love to have, especially the Jazz, considering his connections to Utah. Those connections have, without a doubt, fueled the rumour mill beyond what it would be otherwise, and while it’s still a possibility that Utah attempts a trade, the latest consensus shows it might not be worth it.
The first overall pick is not an easy trade target, and Brett Siegel’s latest report shows the Wizards are listening, but only for a steep price. According to Siegel, the Jazz would have to give up the second pick this year, plus a future unprotected first, and most likely Utah’s first-round pick last year, Ace Bailey. That league-wide consensus could be enough to shut down any possibility of a trade, considering the Jazz have shown no intention of trading Bailey regardless of the return.
The 19-year-old averaged 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while shooting at a 44.3% clip from the floor in his 72-game debut campaign. Those numbers are nothing to scoff at, and after a rocky draft process, Bailey has endeared himself to the fans as a regular starter with limitless potential.
In addition to the asking price, the NBA Combine has shown that Peterson may be the better fit for Utah after all. He made it clear that point guard is his preferred position, and with Keyonte George able to slot into a shooting guard role with ease, it’s hard to argue against such a plug-and-play possibility. As for the Wizards, Dybantsa’s wing capabilities would strengthen the weakest spot in their lineup, whereas Peterson would play a position already taken by Trae Young.
Furthermore, the Jazz faithful aren’t willing to part ways with Bailey in tandem with multiple first-round picks just to move up one spot, and their increasingly vocal support for Peterson echoes that sentiment. For Wizards fans, they seem dead set on Dybansta, and a trade down would surely ruffle some feathers in DC, even if the trade haul skewed in their favor.
Regardless, the rumor mill will continue to churn as the draft build-up continues, but both sets of fans are seemingly hoping that nothing comes to fruition, and considering needs, both franchises should aim for that, too.
