The No. 2 overall pick arrived in Salt Lake City with an elite scoring pedigree and a rare, selfless curiosity that has already impressed coach Will Hardy.
The Utah Jazz used the No. 2 overall pick on Darryn Peterson with the kind of expectations reserved for someone who could eventually have a franchise built around him.
Peterson showed up to his first NBA training camp asking everyone else what they need from him.
“I’m new here, so I’ve been asking a ton of questions to all of the vets and coaches,” Peterson said. “I’m trying to bring something to the team, whatever that can be; that’s something I’m asking a lot of the guys. I’m willing to do whatever to help the team be better.”
That is a pretty good place to start.
Nobody needs Peterson to pretend he is fighting for the 15th roster spot. He averaged 20.2 points at Kansas, went second overall and followed it by averaging 23 points across five Summer League appearances.
Everybody knows why he is here.
Peterson seems more interested in figuring out everything that comes after that.
He spent the offseason in Salt Lake City working on his body, shooting and the adjustment to NBA physicality. Will Hardy has already noticed the way he approaches it.
“I’ve learned that Darryn is incredibly professional for where he is in his career,” Hardy said, pointing to the routines Peterson has already established. “He has shown the ability to be a pretty fast learner.”
Utah gives him plenty of people to learn from.
Lauri Markkanen has been an All-Star. Jaren Jackson Jr. has been one, too. Keyonte George has already played three NBA seasons and just signed a five-year extension. Ace Bailey went through everything Peterson is about to experience one year ago.
Peterson is asking questions now because there will not always be an obvious answer once the season starts.
Some nights Utah will need him to score. Others may require him to pass up a shot, defend without fouling, make the simple read or let somebody else control the game.
His rookie season will require far more than proving how talented he is.
Peterson already seems to understand that.
The confidence is still there. Utah would probably be more concerned if it weren’t. Peterson has said success to him means winning games and making an impact every night.
He just does not seem married to one version of what that impact has to look like.
The Jazz already made the grand statement when they drafted Peterson second overall.
His first question has been much smaller — and maybe more important.
What do you need from me?
