Darryn Peterson Won’t Work Out for Utah — and He’s Betting on Washington or Memphis Instead

Darryn Peterson has a clear message for NBA front offices: he wants to go No. 1 overall, but he’d rather not do it in Utah.

According to a report from Dallas Hoops Journal, the Kansas guard has no intention of working out for the Jazz, who hold the No. 2 pick. His camp believes he has a legitimate shot at going first overall to the Washington Wizards — and they’ve made it known that Peterson would prefer to land in D.C. or even Memphis, which picks third.

That’s not a throwaway preference. It signals real leverage.

Why Peterson Might Actually Go No. 1

The Wizards have the top pick for the first time in years. They’re not locked into any one prospect. AJ Dybantsa, the BYU star who played college ball in Utah, has been mentioned as a candidate. But Peterson’s one-and-done season at Kansas gave scouts plenty to chew on — a 20-point-per-game scorer who shot well, defended at a high level, and showed flashes of fully developed offensive instincts when healthy.

Yes, he missed time with an injury. And yes, there are concerns about his decision-making and how often he gets to the paint. The Athletic’s draft guide flagged both of those issues, noting that Peterson’s performance at Kansas raised questions about consistency, but also suggesting those problems might fade in a more structured NBA offense.

The Upside Is Real

Here’s where the debate gets interesting. The Athletic also described Peterson as a player who “can dribble, pass, shoot, defend and think the game at a high level” — assuming his development holds over the next two years. That’s the kind of multidimensional profile that typically climbs draft boards, not falls.

Peterson has the talent to be a franchise cornerstone. His camp clearly believes that. And by skipping Utah’s pre-draft process, they’re essentially daring the Jazz to use that No. 2 pick on someone else — most likely Dybantsa, who fits the Utah market and played his college ball in the state.

What This Means for Draft Night

The NBA Draft is set for June 23. Washington has the first call. If the Wizards take Peterson, the entire dynamic shifts. Memphis at No. 3 would then have options — and if Washington passes, Utah becomes the pivot point.

But Peterson’s camp has drawn a line. And in a draft where the top three picks are still genuinely unsettled, that line might be the story that defines the night.