RealGM Basketball Wiretap

02 July 2026

• Jaxson Hayes, Jazz Agree To Two-Year, $12M Deal

  Jaxson Hayes and the Utah Jazz have agreed to a two-year deal worth $12 million. The Jazz will have a team option for the 2027-28 season.

  Hayes leaves the Los Angeles Lakers following their sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz for Walker Kessler.

  Hayes appeared in 66 games last season with the Lakers, averaging 7.5 points and 4.1 rebounds in 18.3 minutes. Hayes first joined the Lakers during the 2023-24 season.

  Hayes gives the Jazz extra depth at center behind Jusuf Nurkic.

• Walker Kessler From Jazz To Lakers In Four-Year, $130M Sign-And-Trade For Two FRPs, Two Swaps

  Walker Kessler has agreed to join the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year, $130 million sign-and-trade that will send unprotected first round picks in 2031 and 2033 along with first round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030 to the Utah Jazz.

  The Jazz were expected to match any offer sheet Kessler signed in restricted free agency, which led to the negotiation of a sign-and-trade with Utah getting significant draft capital back in return. Utah offered a five-year, $150 million contract to Kessler.

  The Lakers entered the offseason with up to five tradeable first round picks and now only have one left with their 2032 swap available.

  Kessler appeared in just five games last season due to a torn labrum i his left shoulder in November. During the 2024-25 season, Kessler averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 2.4 blocks in 30.0 minutes across 58 games.

  Kessler was originally acquired by the Jazz in the 2022 Rudy Gobert trade as this further adds to Utah's draft haul originating from that deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

  The Jazz re-signed Jusuf Nurkic this offseason on a two-year, $22 million deal and will give the team depth at center.

  Kessler is represented by Aaron Mintz, Houston Kessler and Dave Spahn.

  The Lakers are now expected to reach agreements with Sandro Mamukelashvili and Quentin Grimes.

• Jazz Guarantee Contracts For Kyle Filipowski, Svi Mykhailiuk

  The Utah Jazz fully guaranteed the contracts for big man Kyle Filipowski and wing Svi Mykhailiuk for the 2026-27 season. Filipowski will hit the books at $3 million. Mykhailiuk will count at $3.85 million.

  In his second NBA season, Filipowski averaged 11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists. With the Jazz dealing with injuries at the center spot, Filipowski started in 41 of the 77 games he played last season.

  Mykhailiuk is valued as a stay-ready veteran off the bench. Despite an inconsistent role, the veteran wing shooter averaged 9.4 points on 48% shooting, including 41% on three-pointers.

• Lakers Expected To Sign Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes; Continue Pursuit Of Walker Kessler

  The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to eventually secure free agent agreements with Sandro Mamukelashvili and Quentin Grimes. The Lakers are also still pursuing Walker Kessler as their top target this offseason as they look to upgrade the center position.

  Kessler is a restricted free agent and would either need to reach agreement with the Utah Jazz on a sign-and-trade, or risk signing him to an offer sheet that can be matched. Kessler is represented by Aaron Mintz, Houston Kessler and Dave Spahn.

  The Jazz have been expected to try to retain Kessler this offseason.

  Mamukelashvili is receiving considerable interest on the open market and has been expected to command more than $10 million per season. Mamukelashvili averaged 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 21.9 minutes over 80 games in his one season with the Toronto Raptors. Mamukelashvili is represented by George Roussakis.

  Grimes averaged 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 29.4 minutes with the Philadelphia 76ers over 75 games. Grimes played the season on a one-year qualifying offer after being unable to secure a longer deal as a restricted free agent. Grimes is represented by Austin Brown and Steven Heumann.

  Grimes is also expected to sign with the Lakers on a contract that starts around $10 million in Year 1.

• Walker Kessler To Meet With Multiple Teams To Open Restricted Free Agency

  Walker Kessler plans to hold meetings with multiple teams when free agency opens up on Tuesday. Kessler is a restricted free agent and has been far apart from the Utah Jazz on terms. The Jazz have offered a five-year, $140 million contract to Kessler.

  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.

  The Jazz have postured as though they will not let Kessler leave this offseason.

  Kessler is represented by Aaron Mintz, Houston Kessler and Dave Spahn.

• Jusuf Nurkic, Jazz Agree To Two-Year, $22M Deal

  Jusuf Nurkic and the Utah Jazz have agreed to a two-year, $22 million deal.

  Nurkic appeared in 41 games with the Jazz last season, averaging 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 26.4 minutes across 41 games.

  Nurkic gives the Jazz depth at center with their frontcourt of Jaren Jackson Jr. and potentially Walker Kessler if he is re-signed.

  Nurkic, who is represented by Rich Paul, will be in his age-32 season.

  The Jazz acquired Nurkic during the 2025 offseason from the Charlotte Hornets for Collin Sexton.

• 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."