Darryn Peterson has had as big a microscope on him as any prospect in the draft. Because he went #2, and let everyone know he felt like he should be #1, everyone has been watching to see if he was right.
His two games in the Salt Lake City Summer League were electric, with his shooting prowess in his first game, 28 points while shooting 4/7 from three. In his second game, he showed his ability to make plays for others with his 12 assists. Coming into the Las Vegas Summer League, there was insane hype for the AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson matchup. What was interesting was that their stats were mostly the same. Dybantsa scored 27, and Peterson scored 24. Dybantsa had 2 assists, and Peterson had 3. Peterson was 6/8 from the free throw line, Dybantsa was 7/8 from the line.
So what, besides size and position, actually separates the two prospects? What makes Peterson different from every other prospect?
Of all the prospects, Peterson has shown himself to be the most complete offensive player in the draft. Yes, the stats have shown a parity between the top four picks, but when you look at Peterson’s overall performance, you see a player who can score in every area on the floor.
Where Dybantsa was comparable in his scoring, he shot 9% from three, which was one of the biggest questions for him coming into the draft. Peterson has shown that he can shoot the three from every spot on the floor, and he can do it off the bounce or the catch. There are real question marks with how Dybantsa will shoot the ball, but there are no questions about what Peterson can do shooting the ball.
Cameron Boozer has been the most consistent performer in the playoffs but hasn’t shown the explosive upside that Peterson has scoring the ball. To Boozer’s credit, he has easily been the most efficient player, punishing the lesser talent of the Summer League. Because of Boozer’s fantastic vision and passing, opposing teams have zero ability to double him because he quickly makes the right pass every time. The same questions remain about Boozer’s style of play, though. Will he struggle against better talent in the regular season? His post-game is going to be even more tested come October in a way that Peterson is more likely to shine
Caleb Wilson has likely been the most surprising player of the top-4 with his incredible scoring and shooting. But Peterson has not shown the vision and passing of Peterson. Peterson has shown better vision than expected and is making the passing plays that will generate more offense. When Peterson is on the floor with shooters and scorers like Lauri Markkanen, Ace Bailey, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Keyonte George, it’s clear that Peterson will have the playmaking upside that gives him the edge.
So, what is the one skill that makes Darryn Peterson different from every other prospect?
But when I say offense, I mean every aspect of offense. I am not being hyperbolic, whatever you need him to do on the offensive end, he’ll do it. He can shoot from three levels, four levels, however many levels, he can do it. As I mentioned before, he will shoot off the bounce, off the catch, or even as a motion shooter. He can score at the rim or stop on a dime and hit a floater with a feathery touch. He’s not just unafraid of contact but is also able to use it to his advantage and get to the line. Whatever I’ve forgotten, he can do that too. And not just shooting, Peterson is a gifted passer able to make every pass. If he has anything to work on, it would simply be NBA conditioning and decision-making. But that decision-making will likely be dependent on his opponents. It’s scary to think what Peterson will become with a game plan designed to punish opponents’ weaknesses.
Right now, FanDuel has Peterson tied for the best odds to be Rookie of the Year. From what we’ve seen in Summer League, that’s a really good bet.