Darryn Peterson first start Utah Jazz Will Hardy...
Darryn Peterson speaks with Utah Jazz Coach Will Hardy upon his arrival in Salt Lake City on Friday, June 26, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Laura Seitz, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — After landing the No. 2 overall pick for just the second time in franchise history, the Utah Jazz rolled out the red carpet for Darryn Peterson.
Peterson immediately became one of the team’s biggest storylines, and before even suiting up, the 19-year-old guard looks to be a major part of Utah’s future.
That said, Peterson will have to buck a recent trend to be a Day 1 starter.
Awesome stuff from @Driven_bball with Darryn Peterson. pic.twitter.com/68aEv0EOG7
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) September 4, 2026
Will Hardy’s meritocracy
Will Hardy took over as head coach of the Utah Jazz before the 2022-23 NBA season.
In each of his first four years, the Jazz tried their luck in the lottery as the franchise rebuilt following the conclusion of the Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert era.
As a result, there has been no shortage of first-year NBA players beginning their professional careers in Utah.
Hardy has stood tall on an “earn it” philosophy over the last four seasons. Ten Jazz rookies have eventually made their way into the starting lineup under Hardy, including eight first-round picks and four lottery selections. However, none started the opening game of their rookie season.
Cody Williams was the quickest to crack the starting lineup, doing so in Utah’s fourth game of the 2024-25 season on October 29 against the Sacramento Kings. Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier shortly followed, and the Jazz finished with a league-worst 17 wins.
Game 1 of 82:
@ Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, October 21
Jaren Jackson Jr. will play in Grind City for the first time as a member of the Utah Jazz.#TakeNote | @kslsports
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) August 13, 2026
Will Darryn Peterson be the exception?
Peterson has been penciled in as Utah’s starting shooting guard by several national outlets previewing the 2026-27 season. However, history suggests that decision is far from settled.
If Hardy hasn’t started a rookie in game one when the Jazz were rebuilding, will he do it for the first time when the goal is to be competitive?
Peterson’s pedigree could make him the exception. He has an argument as the best prospect ever to land in Utah and is considered one of the best American guard prospects of the century. In many, if not most, NBA drafts, Peterson would have been the No. 1 overall pick.
Not to mention, the fit is near picture-perfect alongside Keyonte George in the backcourt and with Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the frontcourt.
If not DP, then who?
If Peterson isn’t in the starting five against the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 21, the other option would most likely be Ace Bailey.
After falling to the Jazz with the fifth pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Bailey made major strides in his first year and really turned a corner after the new year. He projects as more of a three long-term, but Utah could double down on its size and slide the 6-foot-9 wing in at the two for his second season.
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Admittedly less likely but still a possibility, the Jazz could opt to bring both Peterson and Bailey off the bench together. In that case, one of Svi Mykhailiuk, Brice Sensabaugh, Josh Green, or Josh Okogie would get the starting nod.
In that same vein, the Jazz could find success with Jackson Jr. at the five, and start both Peterson and Bailey. There are many different routes to take, but before we see it in action, there isn’t a way to know which lineup will see the most success.
Unlike the rookies who came before him, Peterson won’t need developmental minutes to justify a starting role. His talent and fit may make him part of Utah’s best five-man lineup from the jump.
Hardy won’t hand Peterson the job based on draft position, but if he performs as expected during training camp and the preseason, he has a real chance to become the first rookie of the Hardy era to start on opening night.
Chandler Holt is a Utah Jazz insider forKSLSports.com and co-host of theJazz Notes podcast. FollowChandler on Xfor Jazz and NBA updates.
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