Kansas Star Darryn Peterson's Stock Falls Before NBA Draft - But Not By Much

While the NBA playoffs are all the rage right now and people are glued to their TVs and smart devices to catch the action, don’t forget that the NBA draft is coming soon.

The NBA Draft Lottery is set for Sunday, May 10, and that’s when we’ll find out which team gets the coveted top pick.

In a piece out on Saturday, May 9, Gary Parrish of CBS Sports lays out what to expect during this draft.

“The Wizards, Pacers and Nets have the best chances to secure the first pick — but it could also go to the Jazz, Grizzlies, Hawks, Mavericks, Bulls, Bucks, Warriors, Heat, Hornets or … Thunder,” Parrish states. “Yes, Oklahoma City really could get the No. 1 pick, crazy as that sounds. If it happens, Monday will make for an incredible day of sports talk.”

Parrish has Kansas point guard Darryn Peterson’s draft stock falling a bit, putting him as the No. 2 pick.

“Peterson’s talent is undeniable, but there are obvious questions among front office members about his competitiveness and ability to maximize his gifts because of the way his one season at Kansas unfolded,” he states in the piece.

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He adds, “He was special in spots, clearly. But Peterson was also in and out of the lineup a lot — sometimes by his own choice — and that fact has raised concerns in some corners that the electric playmaker will need to alleviate in the pre-draft process to ensure he remains an option at No. 1 and solidifies a spot in the top two.”

Hot Take: Darryn Peterson vs. AJ Dybantsa

With Peterson’s draft stock taking a bit of a hit, AJ Dybantsa has emerged as the favorite to go first. But Peterson is still a strong second, and if he can prove to front office gatekeepers that he has the drive and toughness to compete in the NBA, that will go a long way.

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The key to Peterson is development. He’s shown he’s got the skills and talent, but he’ll need more training and development than Dybantsa, which puts him just one notch down in these rankings.

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This story was originally published May 9, 2026 at 3:38 PM.