The Utah Jazz are sitting with the number-two pick, as they should.
There was a real stretch of time when the Utah Jazz were a popular candidate to hop up to the number-one overall pick for a chance at drafting AJ Dybantsa, the superstar from nearby Brigham Young University, but the buzz surrounding Utah's interest in moving up has died down drastically in recent weeks.
This is understandable, of course, considering the fact that Utah already has a 50/50 chance of picking Dybantsa, and the consolation prize would be Darryn Peterson, a player who many believe is an even better prospect than Dybantsa in a head-to-head comparison and is objectively the cleaner fit with Utah's current roster construction.
Considering the fact that Washington has been radio-silent as far as their intentions with the top pick, the draft order we see today is likely the same draft order we will see on June 23rd.
Much like the Jazz, the Wizards seem to have moved on from their original "we don't even really like the number-one pick anyway" phase into more of a "make the obvious choice and walk away with a potential superstar" portion of our regularly scheduled programming.
So the Jazz will stay put, as will the Wizards. This isn't a standoff, either, because it seems that both teams are completely satisfied with their positions -- and why wouldn't they be?
Ben Anderson with KSL News has confirmed as much, squashing any embers of the pre-draft forest fire.
"Among the handful of rumors that have circulated, there appears to be little to no substance behind the Jazz’s desire to trade up in the draft. Austin Ainge dismissed initial reports that the Jazz had already made efforts to trade up at the draft combine, while the team seems content with their options with the second pick."
"Before the draft lottery, sources indicated that trades could be on the table regardless of where the team was picking, but there has been no indication that a trade is in the works since moving up to the No. 2 selection."
So we've found balance. Take a slow, controlled breath.
The stirring news cycle has shifted instead to who Utah will take with the second overall pick. Most, if not all, mock drafts have settled into a two-man race for the number-one pick, with Dybantsa holding a notable edge over Peterson, his former Big 12 peer.
Though it's becoming increasingly popular to lean on the Ainge family's identity as the NBA's shakers and mischief-makers, Utah's wisest course of action will be to open their arms and accept whichever player the Wizards opt against.
