The Utah Jazz enter the 2026 NBA Draft holding the second overall pick and are expanding their focus beyond widely projected top candidates AJ Dybantsa (BYU) and Darryn Peterson (Kansas). League sources told The Deseret News that power forwards Cameron Boozer of Duke and Caleb Wilson of North Carolina are legitimate threats to climb into the top tier.
Boozer, whose family has longstanding ties to both Utah and the Jazz organization, is viewed as a polished playmaker and shooter. Scouts reportedly question his athletic ceiling, yet praise his vision and high basketball IQ. Wilson, by contrast, drew attention at the draft combine for his elite athleticism and improving mid-range game, impressing team officials during interview sessions.
Executives believe upcoming private workouts and medical evaluations could reshape the order of the draft’s first four selections. Although Utah already features a crowded frontcourt, observers point to San Antonio’s success this season bringing the No. 2 pick off the bench as evidence that roster depth should not deter the Jazz from selecting another big.
Trail Blazers
Guard Caleb Love will enter unrestricted free agency after spending last season on a two-way deal with Portland. In limited minutes, Love convinced scouts he belongs on a standard roster. “He’s better than a two-way contract guy,” one talent evaluator told The Oregonian, citing the 6-foot-4 guard’s physical style, two-way effort and creative ballhandling.
Timberwolves
Star Tribune columnist Jim Souhan argues that Minnesota should target Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving as a secondary offensive force alongside Anthony Edwards and the versatile Jaden McDaniels. With limited trade assets, the Wolves are viewed as unlikely contenders for a Giannis Antetokounmpo pursuit, but Souhan contends Irving could be more attainable and would reduce defensive pressure on Edwards.
Minnesota also continued its pre-draft evaluations Friday, hosting Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic. The 6-foot-8 junior hit 48.7% of his 279 three-point attempts last season and must decide by Wednesday whether to remain in the draft. The Wolves previously worked out UConn forward Alex Karaban, Stanford forward Ebuka Okorie and Tennessee guard JaKobi Gillespie. Minnesota owns the 28th and 59th selections in June.
Source: Hoops Rumors
