With the 2026 NBA Draft Combine over, the Jazz are entering into the next stage of draft preparation, writes Sarah Todd of Deseret News.
One important area for Utah, which holds the second overall pick, is the return of medical evaluations and testing. Given that potential No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson (Kansas) dealt with injuries all season, this could prove critical to their decision. Peterson was limited to just 24 games this season, and often came under scrutiny for subbing himself out as he dealt with lingering hamstring issues.
The Jazz will also begin their pre-draft workouts this week. For the top prospects, this will likely look more like in-depth interviews and dinners with coaches than heavily intensive skill drills, Todd writes.
We have more from around the draft:
- The Kings are getting ready for the 2026 Draft and hope to infuse their roster with youth after it was one of the oldest teams in the league this season. On Monday, they will host a pre-draft workout for six players: Quadir Copeland (North Carolina State), Melvin Council (Kansas), Tre White (Kansas), Nick Martinelli (Northwestern), KeShawn Murphy (Auburn), and Caden Powell (Baylor), per Sean Cunningham of KCRA News (via Twitter). In addition to the seventh overall pick, the Kings hold two second-round picks: 34 and 45. The aforementioned prospects would all likely be competing for the second-round picks or undrafted free agency slots. Of the six, Martinelli is highest on Jeremy Woo’s big board for ESPN at 53, while White, Murphy, and Powell are all unranked.
- With the league adjusting to the reality of the new rules regarding tanking and the lottery, one topic of discussion is how the new odds will impact the Grizzlies and Jazz, who completed a trade involving Utah’s 2027 pick. The Jazz are expected to be a much-improved team next season, as they will hopefully get a full season of the Lauri Markkanen – Jaren Jackson Jr. – Walker Kessler frontcourt while adding the second pick and expecting internal growth from players like Keyonte George and Ace Bailey. If that’s the case, the Grizzlies will actually gain value from the new rules, as there’s a better chance it could jump into the top six, Chris Crouse writes for Forty Eight Minutes.
- Greek big man Alex Samodurov, who was an early declarant in the draft after playing this season for Panathinaikos, has committed to UNC, Jonathan Givony reports (via Twitter). The 21-year-old big man flashed a burgeoning outside shot this year, in addition to strong shot-blocking ability.