Jazz lineup projection with Darryn Peterson: How No. 2 pick fits with Ace Bailey, Jaren Jackson Jr. in Utah

The Utah Jazz took Darryn Peterson with the second pick of the NBA Draft, with the Kansas guard expected to lead a young Jazz team.

Utah has been among the league’s worst teams for several years, but Peterson hopes to help cap off a long rebuilding process. Moving into the 2026-27 season, the Jazz will now approach the campaign with the belief that they have enough young talent to finally compete for a playoff spot.

While Peterson was in the discussion for the No. 1 overall pick, he should be pleased to land on a team that offers a strong fit for his skill set. Here’s how the Jazz roster looks with Peterson now on the team.

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Jazz roster with Darryn Peterson

*Restricted free agent*

Peterson joins a Jazz team full of young talent, which includes last year’s No. 5 overall pick, Ace Bailey. Utah has more depth in the frontcourt, though, so Peterson should fit right in on a team that needed another guard.

Peterson will play alongside Bailey and Keyonte George in the backcourt and should have the chance to be a playmaker from day one. In the frontcourt, Utah has to figure out a crowded group that includes Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Walker Kessler.

The Jazz have spent the last few years building up a young roster, and it finally appears ready to compete. Utah’s trade for Jackson Jr. during the season is a sign that the team feels like this roster is on the way up.

Jazz projected starting five

Here's a look at how the Jazz could decide to deploy its starting lineup:

• Darryn Peterson
• Keyonte George
• Ace Bailey
• Lauri Markkanen
• Jaren Jackson Jr.

Utah does have a variety of ways it could decide to use its roster, though. None of Peterson, George, or Bailey are true point guards, so the team will have to determine how to run the offense, but all are capable in their own ways. Bailey is listed at 6-foot-9 and can provide some size alongside the two other guards.

Additionally, neither Markkanen nor Jackson is a true center, so one of them may have to get more comfortable in that role. Walker Kessler is a true center, but he is a restricted free agent and has been the subject of trade rumors. If he remains on the roster, he could start and push either Markkanen or Jackson to the bench.

Head coach Will Hardy has a lot of talent to assess entering the season and can experiment with the lineup as he sees fit.