New NBA Draft Rumors on Darryn Peterson Denying Meetings After Wizards Visit amid Dybantsa Debate

Kansas guard Darryn Peterson isn't giving the Utah Jazz the opportunity to bring him to Salt Lake City ahead of the 2026 NBA draft, according to ESPN's Shams Charania and Jeremy Woo.

Charania and Woo reported Monday that BYU forward AJ Dybantsa met with both the Washington Wizards and Jazz, who pick No. 1 and 2 respectively. Peterson, however, only intends to grant a visit to Washington.

While not a lock to go first overall, Dybantsa has been the most popular choice for the Wizards. Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projected him to land in Washington, and that's what Woo had in his newest mock.

Peterson's choice to spurn the Jazz will raise obvious questions.

One clear assumption is that Washington provided some level of assurance to the 6'5" scorer. If the Wizards told him he's their preferred target, there's little point in speaking with other teams.

Darryn Peterson Scores 21 Points vs. St. John's Red Storm

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Charania and Woo reported "both Peterson and Dybantsa have belief that they are going to be the top pick," though.

This could instead be an attempted leverage play by Peterson's camp. He may prefer the East Coast over Utah and like Washington's roster over what Utah has.

But this won't preclude the Jazz from taking Peterson if he's available at No. 2. Last summer, Ace Bailey did his best to put his thumb on the scales and still wound up in Utah despite having declined a predraft visit there.

There's obvious value in getting some face time with a prospect in the weeks leading up to the draft. In Peterson's case, it would be a prime opportunity check out his medicals after he was limited to 24 appearances as a freshman.

Maybe he reverses course, but it doesn't appear that's a luxury the Jazz will get.