2026 Pre-Draft Thread Part IV

[nate33]

The most likely explanation is that Peterson’s agent doesn’t want him in Utah. Them declining to work out for or meet with the Jazz immediately reduces Washington’s leverage in any trade discussions.

So Peterson is nuking his relationship with Washington in an effort to get Washington to pick him first?

Washington may be trying to regain whatever leverage they can by creating uncertainty at #1.

I still don't see how the GAIN leverage from this.

Also entirely possible that Utah has DP #1 on their board, and we are trying to move down for AJ

Sure. Like I said, the takeaway from the leak is that it is indeed true that we are genuinely torn between AJ or DP (or we actually favor DP). It's not a strategic leak, but a reflection of reality.

I seriously doubt Utah favors DP to such an extreme that they would trade up for him though.

[Paris41]

That's definitely true. The logic is that it will be hard for his agent to maximize the interests of Keyonte George to be the main man in Utah, if he has to share the ball with Peterson.

Things I’m confident in:

1. Utah wants AJ
2. Boozer/Utah stuff is smoke
3. DP’s agent does not want him in Utah

All signs point to an annoying agent hurting our leverage and revealing that we favor DP over AJ at #1. Utah is calling our bluff because of the agent stuff.

If Washington wants DP, the only way to regain some leverage is to act as though they’re still deciding between AJ and Peterson. That’s likely why some rumors surfaced yesterday about DP working out for Memphis—to create the impression that Washington’s decision isn’t already made.

Givony says he expects DP to go #1:

Read on Twitter

[Paris41]

All year long, there has been talk about DP’s agent being a real piece of work.

[nate33]

I heard that Peterson has the same agent as Keyonte George and he doesn't want both of them on the same team which is wierd.

That's definitely true. The logic is that it will be hard for his agent to maximize the interests of Keyonte George to be the main man in Utah, if he has to share the ball with Peterson.

That would also be true with AJ. If anything i think Peterson would be a better fit with Keyonte than AJ would be.

Good point. I guess George is a little screwed either way (unless they draft Boozer). But as DP's agent, it still makes sense to steer DP to Washington. It's good for DP regardless of whether it's good for Keyonte George. Having DP in Utah is bad for both DP and George.

[Benjammin]

In approximately 102 hours, thank the gracious Almighty, there will be answers. And joy as well as weeping and gnashing of teeth there will be. Shrines will be erected and haterade and vitriol will spew. But at least there will be some answers.

But then for the rest of the first round we may well wonder if the Wizards are trading back into the first round unless it's announced before the draft begins.

[nate33]

In approximately 102 hours, thank the gracious Almighty, there will be answers. And joy as well as weeping and gnashing of teeth there will be. Shrines will be erected and haterade and vitriol will spew. But at least there will be some answers.

But then for the rest of the first round we may well wonder if the Wizards are trading back into the first round unless it's announced before the draft begins.

I vow to make a 100 page thread on the incompetence of management if they don't manage to add a second lotto pick and draft one of Yaxel/Morez. I will attack any poster who disagrees with me.

[dckingsfan]

as a Jazz fan, I think you guys are genuinely underrating how interested our FO is in DP. every piece of insider information and reporting I've heard since before the lottery has indicated that DP is first on our board (I'm personally a Boozer guy with DP second, so it's not bias). I do not think our FO would view DP as a consolation prize at all; AJ is a legitimately weird fit into Hardy's offensive system.

I also think there's a lot of conflation of Ryan Smith (the owner) and the Ainges. Smith has been very interested in making Utah more of a destination in general, for tourism and sports. I think his relationship with Dybantsa and the BYU program makes sense from that perspective. The Ainges, on the other hand, are trying to build the best team.

Cognitive dissonance. We want an huge hall for the difference between 1 & 2. We want Ainge to believe the only path forward is AJ.

My guess is that Utah just waits and let us pick who we pick - like in all other drafts. If I was making a wager, that would be mine.

Now, who the Wizards choose - I don't know that either.

[payitforward]

Morez over Yaxel in my book.

But... we may miss on both guys depending on the trade we can manage. We need a longer list of targets!

[tontoz]

The best case scenario is trading AD for a top 20 pick. If we have to trade a future first or JC then i can take it or leave it.

[DCZards]

I've been listening to the Hoops Tonight podcast for a couple of years. Relative to other podcasts he is much more a details guy, breaking down plays, strategies, adjustments, etc.

He doesn't cover the draft during the season because he is so busy with the NBA. He just did a bunch of film work on AJ and DP and did a complete breakdown of the strengths and weaknesses of both guys, the best I've heard by far which isn't a surprise. This guy is really good.

His final conclusion is that DP will probably be better right away due to his off ball shooting and defense, but his ceiling is limited because he struggles to get separation off the dribble. AJ has things he needs to work on but is the better long term prospect.

That’s the conclusion that many of us pro-AJ posters have come to. Right now, DP has a superior and more well-rounded skillset but AJ is the clearer upside swing.

[nate33]

The best case scenario is trading AD for a top 20 pick. If we have to trade a future first or JC then i can take it or leave it.

Agreed. And particularly so if we end up with Dybantsa. I don't see how to make Dybantsa, AD and Sarr work. AD has to be moved in that scenario.

If we draft Peterson, there would be a little less urgency to move AD (though I'd still be interested). Trae and Peterson at 1 and 2, AD and Sarr at 4 and 5, and either Bilal or Kyshawn at 3 makes pretty good sense on paper.

[J-Ves]

Steinbach over Yaxel and Morez

This assumes similar draft position. If Yaxel falls to the late teens he may be the steal of the draft and the perfect pick for a team trying to play winning basketball for the first time this decade

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

In approximately 102 hours, thank the gracious Almighty, there will be answers. And joy as well as weeping and gnashing of teeth there will be. Shrines will be erected and haterade and vitriol will spew. But at least there will be some answers.

But then for the rest of the first round we may well wonder if the Wizards are trading back into the first round unless it's announced before the draft begins.

I vow to make a 100 page thread on the incompetence of management if they don't manage to add a second lotto pick and draft one of Yaxel/Morez. I will attack any poster who disagrees with me.

The golden path!

[nate33]

Steinbach over Yaxel and Morez

This assumes similar draft position. If Yaxel falls to the late teens he may be the steal of the draft and the perfect pick for a team trying to play winning basketball for the first time this decade

Just curious. Why specifically do you like Steinbach over Morez?

They're pretty comparable statistically, but I like that Morez has quicker feet and is much more switchable.

[Paris41]

Seems like any trade down fell through. It’s DP or AJ at #1:

Read on Twitter

[Jay81]

I haven't listened to it, but I'd say his conclusion is entirely reasonable. I think Peterson will definitely be better on Day 1, but AJ's theoretical ceiling is higher because you can't coach height, wingspan and explosiveness.

An analogy I'm thinking about right now is Anthony Edwards versus Tyrese Haliburton. Both from the 2020 draft.

Edwards was a physical marvel who could get buckets, but had a shaky advanced stats profile and a ways to go in developing a feel for the game in a manner that drives winning. But he did have a great work ethic and a desire to be the best, so he put in the work and got better and better.

Haliburton had a lower perceived ceiling, but was an instant success with his high efficiency game and his ability to play on ball and off ball. As it turned out, Haliburton also kept getting better and better in a manner that most didn't predict even after his first couple of years in the league.

They're even similar in their durability. Edwards doesn't miss games. Haliburton does.

Which player has been better through their first 6 years?
Which would you want going forward (assuming Haliburton hadn't blown his Achilles)?

Ant doesnt have a huge height advantage for his position like AJ does, and wasnt nearly as productive in college. If you add 4 inches to Ant i take him over Haliburton easily.

Haliburton isnt remotely similar to Peterson. Peterson is an off ball two and hasn't shown anything to make me believe he can be the first option on a contender.

Whatever. I thought it was a pretty good analogy of two players who were relatively equal, but one doing it by physical gifts and the other by a subtle mastery of basketball feel. Nitpick if you want.

And your suggestion that AJ is a jumbo-sized Ant, ignores the fact that he doesn't shoot like Ant.

Was ant even a good shooter his rookie season?

[J-Ves]

Steinbach over Yaxel and Morez

This assumes similar draft position. If Yaxel falls to the late teens he may be the steal of the draft and the perfect pick for a team trying to play winning basketball for the first time this decade

Just curious. Why specifically do you like Steinbach over Morez?

They're pretty comparable statistically, but I like that Morez has quicker feet and is much more switchable.

I prefer Steinbach’s handle, passing, face up game and shooting potential over Morez

[Dat2U]

Steinbach over Yaxel and Morez

This assumes similar draft position. If Yaxel falls to the late teens he may be the steal of the draft and the perfect pick for a team trying to play winning basketball for the first time this decade

1. Morez
2. Hannes
3. Yaxel

I like Zuby as much as Yaxel tbh.

[payitforward]

The best case scenario is trading AD for a top 20 pick. If we have to trade a future first or JC then i can take it or leave it.

You bet! That would be absolutely great!

Where do you think AD might fit best?

[pcbothwel]

Steinbach over Yaxel and Morez

This assumes similar draft position. If Yaxel falls to the late teens he may be the steal of the draft and the perfect pick for a team trying to play winning basketball for the first time this decade

Just curious. Why specifically do you like Steinbach over Morez?

They're pretty comparable statistically, but I like that Morez has quicker feet and is much more switchable.

I prefer Steinbach’s handle, passing, face up game and shooting potential over Morez

This is where I am at. His physicality, IQ/feel, strength, feet, etc... all point to really high level rotational big. His screens are Gortat-esque and while he isnt switchable on guards/quick wings, he plays with high IQ and can hold his own.
I think he his Mo Wagner+...and possibly Sabonis-ish if his playmaking takes a jump.
Like Cam, he really is a good fit with Sarr.