Jazz Eye Peterson-George Tandem as Future Backcourt; Lakers Detail Kessler Contract; Pacers Bring Back Brown on Two-Way
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Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and Indianapolis — The Utah Jazz plan to give No. 2 overall draft pick Darryn Peterson an immediate role alongside second-year guard Keyonte George, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
Jazz
Head coach Will Hardy said both young guards will split ball-handling responsibilities rather than being locked into a traditional point-guard spot. Peterson, who skipped a pre-draft workout with Utah before being selected, told ESPN he is eager to join the team’s developing core. “It’s time to win, so to be a part of that is like a dream come true,” he said.
Utah added forward Jaren Jackson Jr. at last season’s trade deadline and used this year’s No. 2 pick on Peterson, forming what the organization believes could become one of the league’s most dynamic backcourts.
Lakers
Details of Walker Kessler’s new deal with Los Angeles have surfaced. The center’s four-year, $129.5 million contract begins at just over $30.1 million, Hoops Rumors reported. Because the pact was completed via sign-and-trade, Utah generated an estimated $15.05 million trade exception under the NBA’s base-year compensation rules.
Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are retaining forward Kobe Brown on a two-way contract, Forbes’ Tony East reported. Acquired from the Clippers at February’s deadline, the former first-round pick averaged 9.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in 27 appearances with Indiana, shooting above 50 percent from the field and 43.3 percent from three-point range.
Brown joins Taelon Peter and Ethan Thompson as the Pacers’ current two-way players. Second-round pick Braden Smith is also expected to sign a two-way deal, which could prompt further roster adjustments before opening night.
Source: Hoops Wire
