AJ Dybantsa could be another in a growing front of massive players on the Jazz front lines.
Let me be perfectly clear before diving into this article: I am team "Darryn Peterson to Utah" all the way this offseason. For numerous reasons, I believe that Peterson is the ideal fit alongside Keyonte George in Utah's starting lineup. He brings length and plus defending to a Jazz perimeter that hasn't seen any since... I can't even remember. Kris Dunn?
But more than just a defender, Peterson is perhaps the most gifted scorer in the entire draft class. Standing at 6'6", his tight dribble combined with a buttery-smooth one-motion jumper makes the Kansas star a projected day-one contributor for the Jazz, and not one that will have to wait on the bench for his minutes like Dylan Harper found himself doing throughout the regular season in San Antonio (or like Cameron Boozer would if the Jazz went off-script).
In many ways, landing the second overall pick was something of a blessing for the Jazz, as AJ Dybantsa appears to still be the favorite for the first overall pick, allowing Utah to smile and welcome Peterson -- a player many consider to be the best prospect in the draft pool -- with open arms.
But if Washington shakes up the order and snags Peterson with the number-one overall pick, I'd be a fool to project disappointment.
The Utah Jazz may have the best top-to-bottom positional size in the NBA, with a pre-draft starting lineup of Keyonte George (6'4"), Ace Bailey (6'10"), Lauri Markkanen (7'0"), Jaren Jackson Jr. (6'11"), and Walker Kessler (7'2"). That's a lot of inches, and it makes for the tallest starting five in not just the NBA today, but in history.
Beyond pure size, however, this team is just good. Markkanen and Jackson are both former All-Stars, Ace Bailey is one of the most exciting young players in the league today, and Keyonte George boosted his value to absurd levels with a fantastic season three.
But add 6'9" AJ Dybantsa to the mix at point guard, and Utah maintains its size profile, while adding perhaps the most talented bucket-getters in the class.
Dybantsa led the NCAA in points per game last season, yet claims that he was being too passive at BYU to truly reach his scoring potential. Immense athleticism and underrated playmaking make AJ a bit more of a natural fit in the Jazz's scheme, even if he's more of a small forward than a true shooting guard.
But that's where his case becomes truly fascinating -- he has all the skills of a shooting guard, he just lives in a small forward's body.
Versatility, leadership, and work ethic make the difference for Dybantsa in the hunt for the number one pick, so if the Wizards take Darryn Peterson, it's not exactly doomsday for the awaiting Jazz.
