RealGM Basketball Wiretap

27 June 2026

• Tamar Bates To Sign Two-Way With Jazz

  Tamar Bates has agreed to sign a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz.

  Bates signed a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets last offseason after going undrafted out of Missouri. Bates appeared in 13 G League games, averaging 19.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 33.2 minutes.

  The Nuggets released Bates from his two-way in March.

  Bates is represented by Daniel Curtin.

• Darryn Peterson 'Super Excited' To Join Jazz

  The Utah Jazz selected Kansas guard Darryn Peterson with the second overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday, adding a premier scoring threat to a young core the franchise believes is ready to contend.

  Peterson, 19, averaged 20.2 points per game for the Jayhawks last season, the highest freshman scoring average in Kansas history. He missed 11 games and made early exits in several others due to severe cramping issues later attributed to high doses of creatine. Utah team sources told ESPN that their medical review of Peterson raised no concerns.

  "We're so excited about Darryn," said Jazz president of basketball operations Austin Ainge. "He is such a great combination of talent and character and work ethic. He fits everything the Jazz are about, and we're so excited to add him to our group. We think he can help us win now and in the future."

  It marks the second straight year Utah selected a lottery pick who did not formally visit the franchise during the predraft process. Peterson said he grew comfortable with the organization after meeting Jazz representatives at the NBA combine in Chicago and again when front office members traveled to his hometown of Canton, Ohio, ahead of the draft.

  "It meant a lot to me for them to come to my hometown and want to meet with me," said Peterson. "Now I know where my new home is. I'm super excited to get there and super excited to get to work."

  Peterson expressed confidence in the roster around him, citing backcourt partner Keyonte George, who averaged 23.6 points and 6.1 assists last season in a breakout third year.

  "I think me and Keyonte are going to be one of the best backcourts in the NBA, and then we've got those three bigs that are going to dominate," said Peterson, referencing All-Star forwards Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. and restricted free agent center Walker Kessler.

  The No. 2 selection ties the highest draft pick in franchise history, matching the Jazz's 1980 selection of Darrell Griffith. Utah has finished in the lottery in each of the past four seasons.

• Darryn Peterson Signs Endorsement Deal With Adidas

  Darryn Peterson has signed a long-term shoe deal with Adidas that is in the top-5 most lucrative for an incoming NBA rookie. Peterson was the second overall pick in the NBA draft by the Utah Jazz.

  Peterson played one season collegiately at Kansas, which is an Adidas school.

  Peterson signed an NIL deal with Adidas in November 2023.

  "I am grateful for the belief and trust that Adidas has in me," says Darryn Peterson. "They were the first to commit to me and showed how much they still believe in me with this new deal. I am a loyal person and am excited to stay in the Adidas family."

• AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson Won't Know No. 1 Pick Until It Is Announced

  The two leading candidates to be selected first overall in Tuesday's NBA Draft say they have received no indication from the Washington Wizards on how the top of the board will fall. AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson both said Monday they expect to find out alongside everyone else.

  "I'm going to find out when you find out," said Dybantsa.

  "That's the only thing I'm not a big fan of," said Peterson. "I've got no clue (about Tuesday). But we're going to see."

  The outcome is notably uncertain compared to recent drafts. Victor Wembanyama in 2023 and Cooper Flagg in 2025 were each considered locks for the top selection well in advance.

  Dybantsa, a 6-foot-9 wing from BYU, led Division I in scoring last season at 25.5 points per game across 35 games. Peterson, a 6-5 combo guard from Kansas, averaged 20.2 points in 24 games while battling quadriceps, hamstring and ankle injuries.

  Peterson confirmed he met with Utah Jazz representatives over the weekend despite opting out of a formal workout with the club, which holds the No. 2 pick.

  "(It was) just a decision that was made, but I'm definitely not dodging any team," said Peterson. "Whoever takes me, I'm going to come in and be delighted to be there. And wherever that happens to be, they'll get the best me."

  Dybantsa said he would welcome a fit in Washington alongside the club's young core.

  "They've got a good young core," said Dybantsa. "So if I went there, I could fit in, be a real dynamic player, a dynamic wing there, make an offensive impact and a defensive impact."

  Peterson echoed similar confidence in his own Wizards visit.

  "I went out there and met with the staff and the GMs and all that, and we connected, which is something huge for me," said Peterson. "I want to have a connection with those guys."

• Darryn Peterson Meets With Jazz Over Weekend Ahead Of NBA Draft

  Darryn Peterson revealed at NBA Draft media day on Monday that he met with the Utah Jazz over the weekend. Peterson is under consideration with the No. 1 overall pick and had previously met with the Washington Wizards, but had not yet met with the Jazz at No. 2.

  The Wizards have given "increased consideration" to selecting Peterson at No. 1.

  Peterson, a 6-foot-5 guard from Kansas, averaged 20.2 points per game as a freshman, the most in program history.

  Peterson wants to play point guard in the NBA and he may have doubts on how he would fit alongside Keyonte George.

• Wizards Giving 'Increased Consideration' To Drafting Darryn Peterson First Overall

  The Washington Wizards are said to be giving "increased consideration" to drafting Darryn Peterson with the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. It was recently reported that Peterson is working out only for the Wizards ahead of the draft.

  The choice at No. 1 seems to be down to the Kansas product Peterson and A.J. Dybantsa of BYU. Dybantsa had been the favorite for a while, but as the draft has drawn closer, Peterson's case as the first pick has picked up momentum.

  If the Wizards select Peterson, the Utah Jazz are expected to be more than happy to snag Dybantsa with the No. 2 pick. The Jazz have a great relationship with Dybantsa through owner Ryan Smith's connection to BYU.

  Despite speculation that Cameron Boozer could also be in line for the first overall pick, he seems more likely to land with the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 3. That would then put the Chicago Bulls in position to select Caleb Wilson with the fourth overall pick.

• Wizards, Jazz Remain Undecided Between Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa At Top Of 2026 NBA Draft

  Both the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz are believed to remain genuinely undecided heading into the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday, with sources telling The Athletic that neither franchise has locked in a selection at the top of the board.

  Washington continues to consider BYU wing AJ Dybantsa at No. 1, but has devoted significant recent attention to studying Kansas guard Darryn Peterson. Sources caution against drawing conclusions from Peterson's absence from Utah's workout schedule, saying it does not reflect any prior commitment from the Wizards.

  Washington lead executive Michael Winger has publicly stated that leadership ranks among the qualities he seeks in a No. 1 pick. Peterson is regarded by those close to him as an exceptionally driven worker, though his quiet, introverted nature has drawn scrutiny on the leadership front. Dybantsa, by contrast, is viewed by NBA sources as a more outgoing personality who demonstrates leadership both in the locker room and in the broader community.

  At No. 2, the Jazz also have not settled on a direction. Utah's willingness to select a player who skips a pre-draft visit is established precedent. The organization took Ace Bailey at No. 5 last season despite him not working out in Utah, with his camp appearing to push him toward the Wizards instead.

  Peterson's agency, The Team, also represents Jazz point guard Keyonte George, who is up for a contract extension this offseason. Sources suggest the agency may be withholding a Peterson visit to Utah as leverage in those negotiations.

  Despite front-office ties to Cameron Boozer through his father Carlos and to Dybantsa through Jazz owner Ryan Smith's connection to BYU, sources say those relationships are not expected to drive Utah's final decision.

• Keyonte George, Jazz Considered Unlikely To Sign Extension

  The Utah Jazz and guard Keyonte George are unlikely to agree on a rookie contract extension despite the franchise's confidence in his long-term future, sources told ESPN, with Utah's front office seeking further confirmation of his breakout 2025-26 campaign before committing to a maximum-level deal.

  George, who struggled through his first two NBA seasons, averaged 23.6 points and 6.1 assists per game last season while posting a .609 true shooting percentage, a dramatic improvement in efficiency that repositioned him as a core piece of Utah's rebuilding effort.

  While the Jazz remain open to extension discussions, the organization is not yet comfortable approaching the rookie extension maximum without seeing George sustain that level of production into next season.

  As with restricted free agent center Walker Kessler, Utah's front office is willing to allow George to enter restricted free agency if the two sides cannot reach an agreement, giving the Jazz the right to match any outside offer he receives.

  George's situation is further complicated by the upcoming NBA Draft, where the Jazz hold the No. 2 overall pick. Top prospect Darryn Peterson, projected as a shooting guard who could play point guard, shares the same agency as George. Utah's front office has maintained internally that the two can coexist on the court, pointing to playoff teams that successfully deploy multiple ball handlers simultaneously.

  George is represented by Jason Ranne of The Team (formerly Wasserman).

• Walker Kessler, Jazz Far Apart Despite Five-Year, $140M Offer

  Walker Kessler and the Utah Jazz remain far apart on contract talks despite a five-year $140 million offer, sources told ESPN. The figure would represent the largest contract ever given to a center who had not yet earned an All-Star selection.

  Kessler, 7-foot-2, established himself as one of the NBA's top shot blockers and rebounders before a shoulder injury limited him to five games last season. In 2024-25, he ranked second in the league in blocks (2.4) and fifth in rebounds (12.2) while averaging 11.1 points and shooting 66.3% from the floor. Utah holds the right to match any offer sheet Kessler signs as a restricted free agent.

  Sources also expressed doubt that the Jazz will reach an agreement on a rookie extension with guard Keyonte George, despite the franchise's belief in his long-term role. George averaged 23.6 points and 6.1 assists per game in 2025-26 while posting a .609 true shooting percentage after two difficult early seasons. Utah's front office wants to see him build on that performance before committing to a figure near the rookie extension maximum.

  As with Kessler, the Jazz are comfortable allowing George to enter restricted free agency if no extension is reached.

  Utah also holds the No. 2 overall pick in next week's NBA Draft. Top prospect Darryn Peterson of Kansas is not planning to visit the Jazz, choosing instead to meet only with the Washington Wizards, who own the first pick. Fellow top prospect AJ Dybantsa of BYU has visited both organizations.

• Darryn Peterson Looking To Avoid Potential Positional Overlap With Keyonte George On Jazz

  Darryn Peterson's camp is worried about a potential positional overlap with Keyonte George should the Utah Jazz draft him with the No. 2 pick, according to Jake Fischer of The People's Insider.

  Peterson does not plan on meeting with any other team after visiting the Wizards, who hold the No. 1 pick.

  It was also reported that the Jazz are torn between selecting AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer or Darryn Peterson.

  The Jazz view George as a franchise cornerstone and are eligible to sign him to a rookie scale extension this summer.

  George averaged 23.6 points and 6.1 assists on the year.