TITLE: Jazz Advance to Medical Reviews for 2026 Draft, Sixers Gauge Bona’s Development, Grizzlies Monitor Future Utah Pick
SLUG: jazz-2026-draft-prep-sixers-bona-progress-grizzlies-future-pick
CONTENT:
The Utah Jazz have shifted their 2026 NBA Draft preparations from scouting to in-depth medical evaluations and pre-draft workouts, according to the Deseret News. With the No. 2 overall selection in hand, Utah plans to host a series of workouts, interviews and meetings as it narrows its options.
Kansas guard Darryn Peterson remains a prominent name on the Jazz’s radar, though team physicians are expected to scrutinize his health closely after hamstring problems limited him to 24 games last season.
Philadelphia 76ers
Second-year center Adem Bona provided Philadelphia with notable rim protection, ranking among league leaders in blocks per 100 possessions. Team evaluators told Philly Voice that the 23-year-old must strengthen his defensive rebounding, increase offensive consistency and sharpen overall court awareness to earn a larger role.
Bona is also working to expand his range. “That’s definitely a part of my game I do want to develop,” he said of shooting from the perimeter. With Joel Embiid’s health under constant watch, front-court depth remains a priority for the Sixers.
Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis owns conditional rights to a future Utah first-round pick, adding intrigue to the Jazz’s trajectory. Analyst Chris Crouse of Forty Eight Minutes noted that Utah projects to be more competitive next season behind Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Walker Kessler, along with continued growth from its younger core. Any improvement could diminish the eventual value of that pick, leaving Memphis to play the long game.
Both organizations expect clarity on the draft asset’s true worth in the coming years.
Source: Hoops Wire
