Jazz
Darryn Peterson hasn’t forgotten the draft process.
The Jazz selected Peterson with the No. 2 overall pick, and while many evaluators viewed him as one of the elite prospects in the class, the former Kansas star made it clear he believes he should have gone first.
“They don’t know me personally; they’re not in the locker room. They don’t see how hard I work out there,” Peterson said on SiriusXM NBA Radio. “I looked at some of the stuff and laughed.
“I think I’ve got one there (chip on his shoulder) since I was born. There’s always something that drives me. I always have a chip on my shoulder.”
Peterson now joins a young Utah core that includes Ace Bailey, Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen as the Jazz continue their rebuilding efforts.
Grizzlies
New Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer already has lofty goals for his new franchise.
Selected third overall in the draft, Boozer said he believes Memphis can quickly return to relevance after several disappointing seasons.
“I think I can bring them back to where they once were,” Boozer said on SiriusXM NBA Radio. “Memphis had a little spurt when they were making the Playoffs. They have a lively fan base.
“In a couple of years, and maybe this year, we’re going to surprise people.”
Boozer enters the NBA as one of the most polished prospects in the class and is expected to become a major piece of Memphis’ future.
Cavaliers
The Cavaliers ultimately did what many around the league expected.
Cleveland traded the No. 29 overall pick to the Kings, who used the selection on UConn forward Alex Karaban. In return, the Cavs received the No. 34 pick and a future second-round selection.
The move gives Cleveland additional draft capital while dropping only five spots in the draft order.
It also offers some financial flexibility.
Second-round picks are not locked into the same rookie-scale structure as first-rounders, allowing teams more freedom when negotiating contracts. For a Cavs team already facing luxury-tax concerns, that flexibility carries value.
Either way, the Cavs are now set to make their selection at No. 34 when the second round begins Wednesday.
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