That’s not enough for a star-level signing, and with how this year’s free agency class expects to shake out, it’d be hard for Utah to stumble upon an All-Star-level talent on the market anyways.
But in the pool of the veterans that are slated for new contracts around the league this summer, there are several the Jazz should be keeping an eye on as potential fits who can make an impact in next season’s rotation.
Let’s look at a batch of five free agents that could be strong fits for the Jazz:
Robert Williams | C, Trail Blazers (UFA)
Apr 6, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (35) reacts from the sideline in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The Jazz could have a plan in place for their big man rotation next season as is by re-signing Walker Kessler and Jusuf Nurkic to new deals. But if the focus is on bolstering their defensive side of the ball in their frontcourt depth, the Time Lord is worth a look.
Williams has faced consistent injury issues in recent seasons, but this year has been a relatively positive outcome in terms of his availability in production. He played just over 17 minutes a night in 59 games for 6.7 points on over 70% shooting from the field, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks.
This Jazz front office, with ties to the Celtics and their draft history, has some of the same people who initially selected Williams as a first rounder in 2018. If they wanted to land him on their team once again, this offseason’s free agency would be the time to do so.
Rui Hachumura | PF, Lakers (UFA)
Apr 24, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) shoots the ball during the second half against the Houston Rockets during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Hachimura will be a coveted free agent hitting the market this summer simply due to his outstanding season as a shooter (over 43% 3PT) to pair with his versatile length. But those same reasons are exactly why the LA Lakers forward needs to be on the Jazz’s radar.
He fits the Jazz’s prototypical length and versatility they aspire to in their top players while being able to provide a bit of a better spark on the defensive side of the ball; something Utah and their front office will be searching to add to next year’s roster all offseason.
If Hachimura can fall within the Jazz’s price range, which remains to be determined, he’s a no-brainer to add to their list of free agency targets.
Tobias Harris | SF, Pistons (UFA)
Apr 4, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
A 15-year veteran with over 1,000 career games played, Harris has proven he can be an impactful and consistent scorer in the frontcourt for years. And as the Jazz are looking to make their official jump to a playoff team, that experience can be largely impactful for a budding roster like Utah.
He’s turning 34 in July, but he’s averaged double figures in every season since 2013, and he’s made the playoffs every year of the past eight seasons.
There’s no doubt he can find a premier role as a connecting piece on the Jazz’s bench to help them make their aspired jump in the standings next season–– even if not exactly filling their defensive needs.
Apr 27, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) against the Phoenix Suns during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Offensively, he’s not the most seamless fit for the Jazz. He shot under 40% from the field this season for the Thunder, and would need to be masked by other positive offensive fits around him for truly be effective. Thankfully, Utah does have that.
Dort is the type of player you hate to see competing against you on the other side, but can learn to appreciate if he’s playing for your team. As a high-end defender who’s a proven starter for a championship team, he should be on Utah’s radar.
Marcus Smart | PG, Lakers (PO)
Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) reacts after a three-point basket in the first half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
I’ve been pounding the table for Smart to Utah for the past couple of offseasons now, and if he declines his $5 million player option with the Lakers this summer, it’ll open up a perfect opportunity for the veteran guard to land with the Jazz once again.
Smart might not be the same Defensive Player of the Year-caliber presence on the perimeter like he was with the Celtics in 2022, but he’s still a positive defender with tons of experience that could be of benefit to a budding Jazz roster, even if he’s never quite been the most consistent threat offensively.
At a similarly valued deal from what he’s landed with the Lakers, don’t be surprised if Danny Ainge ends up pursuing the same guard he drafted while at the helm in Boston back in 2014.
Federal officials attribute a drop in drug overdose deaths largely to law enforcement efforts and prosecutions.
A federal drug enforcement official fired up a pill press in Salt Lake City Wednesday, cupping his hand to catch little blue tablets as the machine cranked and spat them out at a rapid pace.
The highly unusual scene illustrated how easy it is to make and turn big profits from illicit pills containing the powerful synthetic opioid, said Miguel Chino, assistant special agent in charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rocky Mountain field division.
“It only costs the cartel about one cent a pill,” Chino told reporters before starting the demonstration. “Here in the state of Utah, you buy a pill for $1 to $5, so the profit margin is extremely big.”
Bags of illicit fentanyl are pictured in this undated photo. (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration)
Chino and Melissa Holyoak, the first assistant U.S. attorney for Utah, touted their agencies’ efforts to fight a flood of illicit fentanyl in the state and across the country. They noted the DEA seized a record-high 2 million fentanyl pills in Utah last year and said they’re working toward a goal of eliminating the drug’s presence altogether.
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Their announcement came on a national day of awareness for the highly addictive drug and the devastation it’s caused families and communities. As Chino poured powder down a chute and into a pill press previously recovered by the DEA, he emphasized it did not contain any of the actual drug, of which even a tiny amount can be fatal.
The officials attributed a national drop in drug overdose deaths and a similar downward trend in Utah largely to law enforcement efforts and prosecutions. But they said fentanyl pills, often made to look like less powerful drugs such as oxycodone, Xanax and Percocet, are still making their way to Utah communities from Mexico in large amounts.
Just this week, Holyoak said, her office filed charges in a case involving 225,000 pills hidden away in pieces of ready-to-build furniture.
“No matter how creative and no matter how much is being flooded into the United States, we will remain vigilant,” Holyoak said.
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The DEA accuses the Sinaloa and CJNG Cartels of being responsible for the majority of fentanyl entering the United States, which Chino said travels by bus or car. Often the pills are pressed before crossing the border into the U.S., but the drug also comes to Utah in powder form, Chino said.
In Utah, fentanyl surpassed methamphetamine as the most common drug in overdoses in 2023, according to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. The following year, the two drugs were about even, with meth involved in 44% of overdose deaths, and fentanyl in 43%.
The federal officials said one death is too many and they’re working to prevent overdoses
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“We have men and women out all hours of the night working to eliminate this, seizing drugs, doing drug buys, doing search warrants, whatever they can do,” Chino said.
In December, President Donald Trump designated the drug a “a weapon of mass destruction,” calling it “closer to a chemical weapon than a narcotic.”
Trump has claimed without evidence that Venezuelan boats struck by the U.S. military last year were carrying fentanyl. According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, most illicit fentanyl in the U.S. comes from Mexico and is mostly smuggled through official ports of entry by U.S. citizens.
This week, the U.S. military said its latest strike on an accused drug-trafficking boat killed two “narco-terrorists.” The operation raised the death toll of the strikes that began in September to at least 170.
Most college football programs look vastly different year over year thanks to the transfer portal, and Utah isn’t an exception. For Morgan Scalley’s first seas …
Most college football programs look vastly different year over year thanks to the transfer portal, and Utah isn’t an exception.
For Morgan Scalley’s first season as head coach, the Utes will have 55% of their production from last season’s 11-2 squad on the roster and 16 newcomers via the portal after losing 20 to college football’s free agency.
Some of Utah’s additions will likely wind up being depth pieces who rarely see the field, though several others are in line to play vital roles following the team’s NFL draft departures and graduates.
Here’s a look at four newcomers who could play big roles in 2026.
Braden Pegan (WR)
Former Utah State Aggies and current Utah Utes wide receiver Braden Pegan (11). | Photo courtesy of Utah State University Athletics.
Wide receiver isn’t a position Utah has prioritized historically. In fact, the Utes haven’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since Dres Anderson crossed the threshold in 2013 with 1,002 yards.
Pegan, a four-star transfer who tallied 926 receiving yards at Utah State last season, has an opportunity to snap Utah’s 1,000-yard drought in 2026. With Ryan Davis graduated and JJ Buchanan at Michigan, the 6-foot-3 junior should be Utah’s top receiving target going into the regular season. His familiarity with Kevin McGiven, his former Utah State offensive coordinator who’s now at Utah, will help ease the transition for Devon Dampier and the other returners from last season.
“That’s one of those dudes that you wish you had 20 of them,” Scalley said of Pegan after spring practice. “He’s such a good kid, smart football player, athletic, can jump out of the gym. We’re excited to have him.”
Ethan Day (DE)
Former North Texas Mean Green and current Utah Utes defensive end Ethan Day. | Photo courtesy of Ethan Day’s X account (@EthanDay42).
The departures of John Henry Daley (Michigan) and Logan Fano (NFL) created some voids for Scalley and company to fill along the defensive line going into the offseason.
Utah addressed the need right away with the addition of Day, a 6-foot-4, 250 pound defensive end who recorded 7.5 tackles for loss and four sacks at North Texas, in early January.
In addition to his productivity, the junior from California brings experience and leadership to the Utes defense, as evidenced by his appointment to the team’s leadership council in March. As far as his role on the field is concerned, he’s likely poised to start on one side of the defensive line, across from either Lance Holtzclaw or Kash Dillon on the other.
Getting after the quarterback at a consistent rate is a major key to Utah’s defense being successful in 2026. Expecting Day to put up Daley’s All-America numbers would be asking too much; if he can apply pressure and force quick throws at a steady rate, the Utes would be in good shape.
Cedric Jefferson (OT)
How the Utes plug their offensive line holes after losing all five of last season’s starters to the draft and graduation remains to be seen at this point. A few veterans who’ve logged snaps as backups, like Zereoue Williams and Keith Olson, for example, are potential candidates to replace either (or both) Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu at the tackle spots, but it wouldn’t be surprising if blue-chip prospect Kelvin Obot got a starting nod at left tackle, either.
For now, we’re picking Jefferson, a transfer from Montana State who started every game for the national champion Bobcats in 2025, to start for the Utes at right tackle because of his experience in a run-heavy offense (Montana State was No. 2 in the FCS in rush attempts and No. 5 in rush yards per game last season).
Regardless of offensive scheme, O-line play has been pivotal to Utah’s success over the past two decades. If Jefferson does end up starting at right tackle, he’ll need to be able to handle Big 12 pass rushers and establish the edge in the run game for the Utes’ offense to be effective.
Elijah Reed (CB)
Former Akron Zips defensive back Elijah Reed. | Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Utah was one of the best defenses against the pass in the Big 12 last season because its defensive backs and pass rush essentially worked hand-in-hand; Daley and Fano brought the heat off the edge while their teammates on the backend were sound with their coverage.
With Smith Snowden (Michigan), Blake Cotton (graduated), Don Saunders (Purdue) and Tao Johnson (UCLA) gone, Utah went into the offseason needing to replenish its depth at defensive back. Snagging Reed, a transfer from Akron who recorded a pair of interceptions while allowing just one touchdown in 2025, helped address the team’s need at the cornerback position.
If Reed is as effective in coverage against Big 12 wide receivers as he was against Mid-American Conference pass catchers, Utah’s defense will hardly miss a beat in 2026.
The California-based firm bought Kenny Seng Construction, which focuses on earthwork and site preparation as well as managing a gravel pit and recycling yard.
Granite Construction continued its multiyear buying spree by snatching up a Provo, Utah-based infrastructure contractor, according to a Monday news release. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Kenny Seng Construction focuses on earthwork, site preparation, utility installation, concrete work and construction management. It runs a gravel pit and recycling yard, as well as a fleet of multiuse dump trucks. The firm was founded in 1985 and has annual revenue of approximately $150 million per the release.
“KSC is a great fit for Granite,” Kyle Larkin, Granite’s president and CEO, said in a statement emailed to Construction Dive. “Our cultures and values are closely aligned, and KSC’s work complements what Granite already does well and expands Granite’s service offerings in Utah.”
Dive Insight:
The move builds on Watsonville, California-based Granite’s “home market” strategy, where it supplies material from its own yards to help it build infrastructure projects in the nearby construction markets. The KSC deal includes a hard rock quarry with 1 million tons of annual production and approximately 45 million tons of reserves, according to the announcement.
In addition to subdivision and land development, KSC focuses on the education market with experience in school site work and athletic complexes, according to its website.
KSC’s leadership team will continue to steer the organization while the company will maintain its brand, Granite said.
“Granite is growing, and this deal is in line with that effort,” Granite CFO Staci Woolsey said in a statement shared with Construction Dive. “As with our other recent acquisitions KSC is a well-led, high-performing company that will provide immediate benefits to our bottom line. We are excited to welcome them to our team.”
Granite is scheduled to report its first quarter 2026 earnings on Thursday.
The Utah Medical Board issued a letter late April condemning the use of AI for prescription refills, asking that a new program implementing the tech’s use be suspended.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The Utah Medical Board issued a letter late April condemning the use of AI for prescription refills, asking that a new program implementing the tech’s use be suspended.
The program, which the State of Utah and AI health platform Doctronic entered into an agreement to introduce, uses AI to allows “30-, 60-, or 90-day renewals for medications that have already been prescribed by a licensed provider.”
The system is intended to give patients with chronic conditions a faster way to refill medications. Back in January, when the State of Utah and Doctronic made the agreement, it became the first state-approved program in the United States to legally prescribe routine refills using an autonomous AI health platform.
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“This partnership with Utah enables patients, pharmacists, and physicians to work together more efficiently, with measurable results that benefit the entire healthcare system. We hope other states follow Utah’s lead,” said Matt Pavelle, Co-CEO of Doctronic.
Now, nearly four months later, the Utah Medical Licensing Board has issued a letter stating that their agency was made aware of the agreement only after its implementation, once the system was already live and available for use.
The board is now condemning the AI program, saying that while they support the exploration of future implementation, they also “have a stewardship to protect Utah citizens” and are “tasked with protecting the public in the State of Utah.”
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According to the medical board, while the program may seem innocuous, they believe the oversight of prescription refills is “a task reserved for properly licensed medical practitioners for critical safety and clinical reasons.”
“Each refill requires reassessment and clinical decision-making to safely adjust doses, monitor for side effects, contraindications, or new drug interactions, and ensure the medication remains effective,” the letter from the board states.
They went on to say that patients who continue refilling medications without assessment may remain on outdated or suboptimal therapy for months or years.
“There is a reason prescription refills require physician authorization,” the letter states.
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They further stated that proceeding with the agreement without consulting the Utah Medical Board potentially places Utah citizens at risk, calling it a major concern of the board. The board said it’s “imperative” that professionals with medical backgrounds review all proposals prior to implementation.
The board said they must not allow AI or other financial motivations to override their obligation to protect Utah citizens, claiming this is “precisely what occurred here.”
“It is the strong recommendation of the Utah Medical Licensing Board that this program be immediately suspended pending further discussion,” the letter states. “We look forward to working with the Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy to explore ways to safely implement AI in the practice of medicine.”
While the Department of Commerce declined to interview with ABC4 News on this matter, they did provide a response they sent to the board, which said in part, “your letter strongly recommended the immediate suspension of the Doctronic program pending further discussion. Because the pilot is currently in phase one — where a licensed physician reviews every refill decision, ensuring the program is already operating safely at the standard of care — we will not be suspending the pilot at this time.”
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Doctronic Cofounder Dr. Adam Oskowitz provided a statement to ABC4 News Monday, which said “we are participating in the process as designed, with defined safeguards, physician oversight of every prescription in the first phase of the program, and continued physician involvement throughout. We remain focused on demonstrating safe, evidence-based expansion of routine care access.”
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Another scam is making the rounds in Utah, according to police departments throughout the state. Multiple Utah police agencies, including Lehi Police, the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office, and Gunnison …
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Another scam is making the rounds in Utah, according to police departments throughout the state. Multiple Utah police agencies, including Lehi Police, the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office, and Gunnison Valley Police, are warning the public of fraudulent text messages being sent to citizens. The texts show notices, claiming to be from the State of Utah or a local court, regarding unpaid traffic violations.
For the 250th birthday of the United States, the Beehive State is unveiling a brand new license plate designed for the occasion.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — For the 250th birthday of the United States, the Beehive State is unveiling a brand new license plate designed for the occasion.
The Utah Design Review Board has just unveiled its new “America 250” license plate, which will be available to Utahns beginning June 1, 2026.
New America 250 license plate design. (Courtesy: Utah Design Review Board)
The license plate features a blue background with the 1776 American flag covering the left side, while a subtle pattern using the beehive logo from the Utah State flag crosses the right side. The design review board, which oversees visual standards for license plates and driver’s licenses, says this design, “honors the nation’s founding while maintaining a clean, recognizable look consistent with Utah’s new design standards.”
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“Utahns are excited to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and reflect on the principles that have shaped our nation. This plate is a simple way for people across our state to show that pride and be part of this historic milestone,” Senator Dan McCay, Senate representative on the Design Review Board, is quoted as saying.
These America 250 license plates will only be available for one year, and sales will conclude on July 31, 2027, “marking the close of the semiquincentennial celebration period.”
Utahns can visit dmv.utah.gov to request the license plate and even customize it for a fee. The Utah State Tax Commission notes that while “USA250” is used on the example, it is not an available option.
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Leaders at Bluffdale’s Vector Defense say the state’s business-friendly culture and workforce are allowing for optimal drone training and development to keep U.S. war fighters safe.
Mike Chen tests a Vector Hammer in Bluffdale on Friday, April 24, 2026. The Vector Hammer is a multiuse quadcopter that provides incredible capability to a maneuvering unit and is capable of deep sensing and deep strike. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
A massive American flag stretches wide across the factory wall of Vector Defense Inc. in Bluffdale.
But “Old Glory” is not merely for decoration here.
Instead, the flag is “a reminder of what we’re doing, what we’re serving, and who we’re standing up to serve,” Vector CEO and founder Andy Yakulis told the Deseret News.
“It helps us rally around the concept that the American war fighter needs the most up-to-date technology. And right now, that’s unmanned systems drones. … We’re all very focused on achieving that mission — making sure we’re streamlining the best-in-class technology to the American war fighter.”
A Vector Hammer is operated in Bluffdale on Friday, April 24, 2026. The Vector Hammer is a multiuse quadcopter that provides incredible capability to a maneuvering unit and is capable of deep sensing and deep strike. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
The minute-to-minute headlines from combat hot spots such as Ukraine and the Persian Gulf echo an emerging combat reality: Drones are changing the very character of war.
And militarized unmanned aircraft systems are presenting a battlefield paradox. Today’s drones are relatively cheap — but they are also increasingly deadly. Drones are reportedly responsible for 75% of Ukraine war casualties.
As Forbes reported, drones are not merely a new weapon — they are a new era of warfare. “The closest historical analogy may be the tank, introduced during World War I, which broke the murderous stalemate of trench warfare.”
Gov. Cox: Utah’s drone industry can protect service members — and strengthen state’s economy
Trenton Landoni assembles Picatinny rails to carbon fiber plates at Vector in Bluffdale on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Now Vector Defense Inc. — and by extension, the Beehive State — are increasingly positioned as key players in accelerating the country’s military-grade drone ecosystem.
On his LinkedIn page, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox recently announced in a video that Utah is “answering the call to build America’s drone industrial base” — while furthering American drone dominance.
The state’s growing drone industry, he noted, “strengthens our economy and supports those who defend our nation.”
National security, said Cox, depends on building critical technology quickly, reliably and at scale — and in a regulatory friendly environment.
Utah’s drone industrial base, he added, prioritizes domestic manufacturing, vertical integration, and rapid delivery to those charged with protecting the country.
“We move fast, cut through red tape, and we support companies that are willing to build here at home,” said Cox. “Government and industry will lead the way — manufacturing in Utah, integrating in Utah, and delivering real capability with speed and discipline.
“That’s how we protect our service members. That’s how we strengthen our economy.”
What’s ‘warfare as a service’?
Andy Yakutia, CEO of Vector, is pictured with the Vector Hammer in Bluffdale on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Protecting America’s men and women in uniform while maximizing their drone capability serve as dual missions for Yakulis and his Vector team.
A West Point grad, Yakulis spent almost two decades in the U.S. Army — including significant duty serving in Special Operations.
The former Army helicopter pilot remembers utilizing military drones such as the Reaper that searches for targets and can be used to shoot missiles similar to an airplane.
“But the drones that are being used now are being used like munitions — a one-way attack,” he said. “People sometimes call them like suicide drones. That was nowhere on our radar when I was in uniform.”
Near the end of his Army tenure, Yakulis recognized a market gap as unmanned drone systems were being used in massive quantities in Ukraine as part of the nation’s ongoing war with Russia.
Simultaneously, the drone tech across Ukraine’s front lines was iterating at lightning speeds.
“And so we saw these two things change which created this revolution of military affairs. More tech being used. More drones being used. And faster iteration on the design of the drones.”
During his Army officer career, Yakulis became well acquainted with the U.S. defense procurement system. It can take several years, he said, to get a piece of technology from R&D to actually be utilized by warfighters in combat.
Given the speedy “tech refresh” pace in Ukraine, America’s legacy procurement system presents “a massive imbalance,” he added.
By launching Vector in 2024, Yakulis set out to create a new model of providing expendable — aka “attritable” — drones to the American military.
Internal components of a proprietary Vector radio are soldered at Vector in Bluffdale on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
But the company does more than simply sell a piece of drone tech hardware. That’s only one component.
“We came up with this idea that I call ‘modern warfare as a service.’”
Vector sells to the military a “service-based contract” that involves training, product and capability development — and the large-scale delivery of unmanned systems.
“But because the military isn’t buying the drone, we don’t have to go through the legacy seven- to 10-year procurement model,” explained Yakulis.
“We can sell you a service today — and underneath that service provide you the best drone that exists on the market today. And then tomorrow, I can provide you with an updated drone underneath that same service contract.”
And while Vector may be headquartered in the southwest end of Salt Lake County, it functions as a global enterprise.
The company has a team stationed in Ukraine, and another in Israel. There, they observe how drone systems are being used — and then bring those insights back to Utah to update their drone training and the designs.
“We have to make a concerted effort to stay up-to-date with how warfare is constantly changing,” said Yakulis.
“That’s why it’s so important for us to have a footprint in war zones — and that’s why it’s so important to have our leadership and a lot of our engineers cycle through those war zones to make sure they understand how technology has evolved.”
What makes Utah the ideal home for drone development?
Mike Chen tests a Vector Hammer in Bluffdale on Friday, April 24, 2026. The Vector Hammer is a multiuse quadcopter that provides incredible capability to a maneuvering unit and is capable of deep sensing and deep strike. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News
After separating from active duty military, Yakulis and his associates started the venture-backed Vector. They were eager to begin implementing their fast evolving mission and business model.
But first, Vector needed a home.
Given its density of industry talent, California’s Silicon Valley works “decently well” for software companies, said Yakulis. But it’s hard to build a manufacturing company in the Golden State.
“There’s so many regulatory restrictions on manufacturing in California, and space is just at a premium,” he said. “It’s very, very expensive to do a very large facility like we have here in Bluffdale.”
And there were also Vector’s employees to consider. The Bay Area’s cost of living rate is famously prohibitive.
But business-friendly Utah checked all the boxes, said Yakulis.
“There’s a very supportive culture here in Silicon Slopes,” he added. “And there’s a lot of value-driven, mission-driven individuals that want to work on something that matters.
“And the governor,” added Yakulis, “has been incredible to us.”
Beyond its business advantages, Utah is an ideal spot for drone testing and training. “Some of my colleagues or competitors in California have to travel two or two-and-a-half hours just to fly a drone,” said Yakulis.
“We walk right out to the back of our warehouse to fly a drone.”
Meanwhile, Utah military installations such as Camp Williams and those in nearby Dugway allow Vector a venue for long-range or explosives drone testing and training.
“Just having high-density military here — which is our primary customer — and access to training areas has been phenomenal for us,” Yakulis added.
Vector employs almost 100 people, with most working in Utah.
Equipping U.S. warfighters with drone tools and know-how
Integration is a defining term at Vector.
The Ukrainians, explained Yakulis, have proven adroit at integrating with their soldiers on the front line in eastern Ukraine. Obviously, Vector can’t replicate that level of combat fusion.
“So the way that we replicate how fast we are able to iterate for the American military is we do a lot of drone training for them,” he said. “This is how we got our start — as a drone training company.”
Such schooling goes beyond simply teaching a soldier how to fly a drone from Point A to Point B. Soldiers need to know how to optimize this new weapon. So drone tactics and doctrine are being perpetually examined and reinvented.
“The technology is only as good as the tactical application of it — and you will only get the maximum effectiveness out of the tactics if you know how to use your technology,” said Yakulis.
Vector employs “a very, very interesting cohort of individuals” who are experienced tacticians that also understand technology and proper training methods.
Such a training force, said Yakulis, blends prior military personnel who are high-end tactical experts working alongside drone specialists.
Vector’s training seeks to teach American war fighters how to best utilize advanced unmanned systems. “But we’re also learning from our end user to make sure that we are building exactly what they want for the American military,” said Yakulis.
And while it’s essential to understand what, say, the Ukrainian military is doing with drones in the fight against Russia, Vector can’t simply cut-and-paste such data to the American military, he added.
“You have to embed; you have to integrate with the American military with that technology to figure out, ‘How are they going to use it?’ ‘What new feature do they want on that drone?’
“And then, back here in our Bluffdale facility, we build that new feature and provide (American war fighters) on a subsequent version of that service contract.”
Next step: Improving cost-efficient counter-drone tech
Global affairs obviously aren’t pausing for Vector or any others from the nation’s drone industry to develop the latest tech and training.
Even while speaking with the Deseret News, Yakulis was monitoring the day’s events from Operation Epic Fury — the ongoing American war with Iran.
And as with the Ukraine conflict, the U.S. and its allies are dealing with the challenges and tactical opportunities of drone weaponry.
Prior to the current ceasefire in the region, Iran launched “a massive amount of unmanned systems” to attack regional neighbors. Attritable drones are having an exponential impact on the vast Middle East battlefield — and American military leaders have prioritized attacks on Iranian drone platforms.
“I’ve been talking to the company a lot about our country being at war,” said Yakulis. “We need to be on a wartime footing too — and be thinking about how fast we’re building and how fast we’re iterating.”
Developing better and cheaper tech on the counter-drone side are now key priorities for Vector and the rest of the nation’s military/defense industry.
“It’s very hard to defeat what we call ‘attritable drone mass.’ … You can take one drone down, but can you take down 100 or 1,000, especially when decoys come in the mix?
“And can you do that at a price point that makes sense?”
“Unit economics” has become a critical warfare talking point when, say, a $2 million American Patriot missile is being used to shoot down an Iranian Shahed drone made for $35,000.
“The economics just don’t work out,” said Yakulis. “We just don’t have enough Patriot missiles — and/or we will just spend too much money trying to procure too many missiles.
“So we need to do a better job to provide a cost-equal interceptor per drone.”
The NBA Draft class of 2026 appears to be absolutely nothing like the 2024 draft class, and for that, we give thanks to the basketball gods. Tangible star power that bleeds beyond the top pick has …
The NBA Draft class of 2026 appears to be absolutely nothing like the 2024 draft class, and for that, we give thanks to the basketball gods. Tangible star power that bleeds beyond the top pick has forced nearly a third of the good citizens of the league to sabotage this year’s crop for the prospects of a more plentiful harvest in the future.
Simply put, there ain’t no scrubs at the top of this year’s NBA Draft. Players who project as perennial All-Stars are up for grabs at the top, and “eh” inspiring consolation prizes are in very short supply.
The Utah Jazz tanked for good reason. As did the Indiana Pacers. As did the Washington Wizards. As did Dallas, Memphis, and Sacramento (does it count as tanking if you’re actually that bad by default?). That reason is simple: just as the Nintendo Switch has games, the class of ‘26 has hoopers. Teams want those hoopers, and since the NBA is not very pro-sharing in that regard, many teams had to wake up early and tank for a chance to be first in line for, well, the future.
Leave it to the Jazz, the NBA’s poster child of the tanking epidemic, to spend the whole regular season dreaming of the NBA Draft. As an organization that has never moved up since the introduction of the lottery, Utah has plenty to dream about.
Not all players are created equal, and not every location will bring out the same level of production or development in any given player. Considering the fact that Utah doesn’t plan to dilly-dally at the bottom of the standings next season — playoffs, ho! — it’s important that the Jazz come away with a player who can both contribute to winning basketball on day one and potentially blossom into a franchise-defining centerpiece. Keeping this in mind, here are the players who I believe will fit best in Utah, ordered by who I believe will make me throw the fewest fits.
Utah Jazz 2026 NBA Draft Wish List
5 – Brayden Burries | G, Arizona
Yeah, maybe I’m higher on Burries than most, but if the Jazz intend on building a well-rounded competitive team, they need a defensive presence in the backcourt. And after a very impressive freshman season that saw him post 1.8 steals per night (not to mention 19.4 points, nearly 3 assists, and 6 rebounds). Utah needs a defensive cushion for Keyonte’s — *ahem* — shortcomings on that end, and Burries is a solid pickup if Utah drops from their 4th spot.
Father Carlos has probably been preaching the gospel of his National Player of the Year offspring since joining the Utah Jazz as a scout, but as a power forward on a team stuffed with bigs, Cameron would almost certainly come off the bench behind the three-headed (and very, very tall) dragon of Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Walker Kessler.
A stabilizing presence off the bench, Boozer brings underrated shooting and playmaking ability — both of which could be very appealing for Will Hardy’s ball-movement-heavy offensive game plan — but other players would fit more seamlessly onto the current roster still on the board, so the family reunion may have to wait.
3 – Caleb Wilson | F, North Carolina
Wilson has been building buzz since the end of the college basketball season, and for good reason. There is a lot to love about his game, and he could project to be one of the best two-way players in this class. I mean, you must be joking with season averages of 1.6 blocks and 1.7 steals as a forward, right? As UNC’s primary offensive option, to boot.
He’s improving as a ball handler, and I feel sincere terror considering how great he may become if the Jazz choose to pass on him.
As a natural power forward, though, Utah is far too dense at that range to freely let Wilson stretch out and get the in-game experience a player of his talents deserves. I’ll send you away White Fang-style if I have to. Now go on, get out of here! Go!
FOMO aside, there are still two players that I like just a touch more as a fit with the Jazz.
2 – Darryn Peterson
Probably the most polarizing figure in the draft, Peterson is also the most natural addition to Utah’s lineup, slotting next to Keyonte George in the backcourt effortlessly. No, he doesn’t really pass the ball, and no, I’m not entirely confident that his selective play time was just a “we all tried things in college” type of phase for the Kansas guard. Peterson’s role on Bill Self’s team became more and more secondary as the season progressed, and that’s concerning for any team that hopes to build its future on his back.
Injury concerns and a questionable competitive motor are cause for pause, but if you get his best career timeline, you may just be drafting an MVP.
If you want buttery scoring, a silky one-motion jump shot, delicious dribble combos, and perhaps the most obviously talented guard prospect we’ve seen since Kyrie Irving (another eccentric with a tendency to miss playing time and make bad PR moves), you have that in Peterson. He’s a strong defender, a nonchalant assassin. If he lands in Utah, the Jazz are in business.
1 – AJ Dybantsa | F, BYU
It’s no secret that Utah wants Dybantsa. Owner Ryan Smith has been instrumental in keeping the collegiate superstar and consensus All-American in the Beehive State with his commitment to BYU (arriving along with a notable NIL package). Still, Dybantsa is on record saying he’s loved his time in Utah, prefers quieter settings, and probably has mutual feelings about the Utah Jazz picking him on draft night, given the chance.
Face it, Utah. I know you. You know you. And I know that you know that I know you. If the Jazz land the number-one overall pick, they’ll be buzzing Adam Silver’s cell phone with their submission nonstop from midnight until the commissioner finally announces their selection from the podium.
Still, understanding that Utah’s current lineup probably has no wiggle room for demoting Markkanen, JJJ, or Kessler to the second unit, if Dybantsa stays in Utah, it’ll probably be Ace Bailey who slips to sixth man. Is AJ equipped to defend NBA-quality 2-guards? That’s yet to be determined, but he has the physical tools and the drive to figure it out if he’s not quite there right away. Bailey’s development may decelerate a tad if Dybantsa starts taking his reps, but if that becomes a problem, you don’t pass up on a potential MVP and perennial All-Star for a player with a lower ceiling — you trade the lesser prospect and build your roster around Dybantsa.
Calvin Barrett is a writer, editor, and prolific Mario Kart racer located in Tokyo, Japan. He has covered the NBA and College Sports since 2024.
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