ESPN just made a massive Darryn Peterson prediction that Jazz fans will love

The Utah Jazz didn't get the No. 1 pick. They may not care. After selecting Darryn Peterson with the second overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Utah believes it has landed the franchise cornerstone it has been searching for. And if one ESPN prediction comes true, Peterson could accomplish something no Jazz player has done in more than three decades.

That's how highly regarded the former Kansas star already is.

ESPN predicts Peterson could chase Utah history

Following Tuesday night's draft, ESPN's Ben Golliver handed out a series of bold predictions for the incoming rookie class.

His prediction for Peterson wasn't just ambitious. It was historic.

"Darryn Peterson will have a chance to set a Utah Jazz franchise record for scoring in a season," Golliver wrote.

Think about the names attached to that statement. The only players in Jazz history to average more than 30 points per game in a season are Pete Maravich, Adrian Dantley and Karl Malone. The last time it happened? Malone during the 1989-90 season. More than 35 years have passed since a Utah player reached that level.

Yet ESPN believes Peterson has the talent to eventually challenge those numbers.

Why Peterson is generating so much excitement

The hype isn't difficult to understand. Peterson entered the draft as one of the most polished offensive prospects in recent memory and was widely viewed as one of the top two players in the entire class alongside AJ Dybantsa.

Even while battling injuries and limited stretches of playing time during his lone season at Kansas, Peterson's scoring production remained elite. NBA scouts have raved about his ability to create shots from all three levels, operate in pick-and-roll situations and score efficiently against virtually any defensive coverage.

Those skills have led to lofty comparisons.

Among them?

Kobe Bryant and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. That's elite company for a player who hasn't appeared in an NBA game yet.

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The opportunity is there immediately

Unlike many top draft picks who enter crowded situations, Peterson should have every opportunity to become one of Utah's primary offensive options from Day 1. The Jazz remain in rebuilding mode and are still searching for the superstar who can lead the next era of basketball in Salt Lake City.

Ace Bailey showed flashes during his rookie season, and Walker Kessler remains an important piece of the frontcourt. But Peterson arrives with the expectation that the offense will eventually run through him.

That's a lot of responsibility. It's also a lot of opportunity.

The record is a long way away;  but the ceiling is obvious

Let's be clear. Breaking a franchise scoring record that has stood since the days of Pete Maravich won't happen overnight. Most rookies spend years developing before they approach that level of offensive dominance.

Still, the fact that ESPN is already discussing Peterson alongside names like Maravich, Dantley and Malone tells you everything about how NBA evaluators view his long-term potential.

The Jazz knew exactly who they wanted when AJ Dybantsa went off the board first. Now Peterson arrives carrying enormous expectations. And according to ESPN, he may eventually chase one of the most untouchable records in franchise history.

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