Final Utah Jazz NBA Mock Draft: How the First 5 Picks Could Go
Final Utah Jazz NBA Mock Draft: How the First 5 Picks Could Go
Here's our final prediction for how the Utah Jazz will attack their second-overall pick.Jared Koch|
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Utah JazzThe 2026 NBA Draft is right around the corner. That means we're right on the cusp of finally learning what the Utah Jazz will do with their highly-discussed second-overall pick.
Each of the top three prospects in the class has been linked to the Jazz at some point since the lottery. And really, the door seems pretty wide open for all three to be within the realm of possibilities––which is pretty unusual for the top of a draft to be this undecided with just days to go before things gets rolling.
But a lot of the Jazz's outcome will inevitably depend on what the Washington Wizards will do at the number-one overall pick. Once their selection becomes official, things will be much clearer on both how Utah will approach their selection at number two, and how the rest of the top five will then go.
Let's put together one final prediction on how that top five of the draft could unravel, and most importantly, what the Jazz could do at number two:
1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa | F, BYU
While many in Utah will be hoping for Dybantsa to fall into their laps at the second pick, such an outcome might just be wishful thinking. The closer we get to draft day, it feels more and more likely that AJ Dybantsa will be the guy the Wizards end up with in the top spot.
Darryn Peterson's decision to only work out with the Wizards did tend to fuel some speculation that he might just be their preferred selection. But Washington's been linked to Dybantsa as their guy since the lottery ended.
He fits well within their current core, could have just as high as a ceiling as Peterson, and feels like a safe choice here to be a cornerstone piece of their franchise for years to come.
2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson | G, Kansas
Yes, there might be lingering questions revolving around Peterson's odd season at Kansas. Yes, Peterson opted not to work out with the Jazz and might have further concerns about pairing next to Keyonte George in Utah's backcourt. And no, neither of those factors will be preventing the Jazz from selecting him if he's up for grabs here at two.
Cameron Boozer will deserve some consideration at this spot, and his fit within this frontcourt is pretty intriguing. But Peterson has the edge in terms of upside, positional fit, and could be well in the conversation for being the best guard out of this class both now, and when all is said and done.
Now, if Peterson comes off the board first, it feels pretty likely that Dybantsa will be the guy Utah has their eyes on. Again, that could just be wishful thinking, but anything's possible during the chaos of draft night.
Regardless, Utah will end up with a franchise cornerstone, no matter who the front office lands on here between the top three guys. Considering the Jazz were at risk of losing their first-round pick earlier this year, any outcome that transpires is a major win, all things considered.
3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer | F, Duke
Memphis has the easiest choice of anyone in the top three: just take who Washington and Utah don't between the top three prospects on the board.
In this case, it's Boozer, who's been linked to Memphis pretty consistently since the fallout of the lottery, despite some lingering connections with the Jazz. And in this case, they'll be able to end up with him as expected.
He fits well with the Grizzlies' needs for a stable four in the frontcourt, can pair next to Cedric Coward and Zach Edey, and gives Memphis a perfect centerpiece to build around.
4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson | F, North Carolina
Between teams selecting in the top four, the Bulls' selection has been pinned down as the most simple to project: they'll almost certainly be going with Wilson here, the fourth-best name on the board, but has the potential to be right up there with the top three prospects bound to go ahead of him with his standout length and athleticism.
Not much consideration has been put into Wilson's chances as an option for those within the top three, despite how alluring his ceiling might be as an athletic and impactful two-way option in the frontcourt. The Bulls will be getting a stud here.
5. LA Clippers (via IND): Keaton Wagler | G, Illinois
It feels like the Clippers could decide to go several ways with this pick. All four of the consensus top prospects in the class will all be off the board by the time they're on the clock, and leaves them with a handful of three to four names to pick from.
Wagler might be the one to circle as their preferred option, though. He can be a great connector offensively on the wing with his ability to shoot the ball well and fill in as a secondary playmaker, but can fit well in the backcourt with this current Clippers lineup next to Darius Garland.
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Published Jun 22, 2026
JARED KOCHJared Koch is the deputy editor of Utah Jazz On SI. He's covered the NBA and NFL for the past two years, contributing to Denver Broncos On SI, Indianapolis Colts On SI, and Sacramento Kings On SI. He has covered multiple NBA and NFL events on site, and his works have also appeared on Bleacher Report, MSN, and Yahoo.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
