Darryn Peterson's show is simply another case of pre-draft posturing, folks. Nothing to see here.
The Utah Jazz are having some crazy pre-draft deja vu right now, with reports that Kansas star and top-2 projected pick Darryn Peterson feels so confident he will be selected first overall after his workout and meeting with the Washington Wizards that he canceled his visit to Utah and will not work out for the Jazz before draft night.
Cue pre-draft pandemonium.
Though this may strike panic in the hearts of those who have endured past instances of players threatening to avoid falling to the Jazz, there's nothing to worry about on Utah's end, as the plan remains the same: take whichever of AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson the Wizards pass on with the number-one overall pick.
This sparks a bit of the same emotions drawn up by the Ace Bailey saga of last season, where his agent, Omar Cooper, led a campaign that suggested Bailey had no interest in playing for the Utah Jazz, and preferred to fall to -- wouldn't you know it -- the Washington Wizards with the sixth overall pick.
Of course, Bailey has been a fantastic fit with the Jazz and has shown no hints of searching for a way out of Utah.
For identical reasons to the Ace Bailey issue, the Jazz are unconcerned with this development.
Despite the fact that Peterson has canceled his workout in Utah, and therefore will only work out for the Wizards before the draft, the Jazz have kept in close contact with the Kansas star, and he hasn't been avoiding the Jazz in any sense.
It's a simple matter of belief, and Darryn Peterson believes he'll be the number-one pick.
The Jazz understand this, and hold no ill will in reciprocation. After all, if you were certain that the Wizards were going to pick you, how badly would you want to waste your time by working out for other teams.
But AJ Dybantsa, the favorite for the number-one pick in the weeks leading up to the draft likewise appears confident that his name will be the first to come off the board on draft night.
It all appears to be a posturing move from Peterson and his camp. Not in an effort to avoid the Jazz, but more accurately in hopes of snatching the number-one pick from AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson is showing the Wizards that he is all-in and wants to commit to their organization moving forward.
I believe this situation doesn't sway Utah in the slightest; whatever awaits on draft night, they can walk away as winners.
