The Utah Jazz are in position to regret the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade — not because of the trade itself, but because they might not draft the best player in the draft because of it.
Cameron Boozer is the best player in the 2026 NBA Draft in every single stats-based draft model. He was the national player of the year and propelled the Duke Blue Devils to a No. 1 seed. He is one of the youngest players in the draft.
He won a championship in every level and type of team basketball he played at the school, AAU and international level, and only a 30-foot buzzer beater kept him out of the Final Four and a chance at continuing the streak.
Cam Boozer won't go No. 1
Why, exactly, is Boozer not the clear No. 1 pick? Because he is not — nearly every mock draft floating around the internet has BYU’s AJ Dybantsa going first to the Washington Wizards.
The answer is that NBA teams are compelled by upside, and Boozer appears to have tapped his. He has an NBA body and dominated “lesser” competition. The lack of elite athleticism raises questions about whether he will continue to dominate in the pros as he has at other levels.
Dybantsa has the look of a No. 1 scorer. Darryn Peterson does as well. Boozer is harder to peg.
That is why he likely won’t go first overall to the Wizards — which should be a golden opportunity for the Utah Jazz. Holding the No. 2 pick, they will very likely be gifted the best player in the draft, Cameron Boozer.
Jazz will pass on Boozer, too
And yet they will likely pass on him as well, despite his father being a former star for the team and working in the front office. The reason? They have overloaded their front court by making the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade.
That is not to say that Jackson is not a fantastic fit with Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler; the three “bigs” will give them elite size, and each has a very different skill set. That trio will likely propel the Jazz up the standings next season.
Cameron Boozer could be better than all of them, and perhaps much better. And the Jazz will likely look to Darryn Peterson at No. 2 instead of Boozer because Jackson is blocking the way for Boozer.
Imagine where the Jazz could be if they still held those draft picks they traded and could use them on a wing while also adding the best player in the draft? That’s a big hypothetical, but it is a very different future for Utah — and one that could be much better.
Perhaps Dybantsa will be the next Kevin Durant. Perhaps Darryn Peterson will be the next Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Both have the potential to become superstars. Both also have massive question marks.
Boozer has question marks too, but his resume is glittering with accomplishments and production. He should be the No. 1 pick, and if he is available at No. 2, the Jazz should pull the trigger.
