{"id":254113,"date":"2026-06-03T19:16:06","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T19:16:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/254113\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T19:16:06","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T19:16:06","slug":"brooklyn-nets-2026-nba-draft-preview-the-lead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/254113\/","title":{"rendered":"Brooklyn Nets 2026 NBA Draft Preview \u2013 The Lead"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Brooklyn Nets\u2019 2025-2026 season went as it was expected to go. Vegas had the team projected<\/a> to win 19 games, which is exactly the range they finished. With a 20-62 record, Brooklyn once again found themselves at the bottom of the league.<\/p>\n

Even with a bad record, there were some bright spots within the organization. Michael Porter<\/a> Jr.<\/a> played great basketball after being traded to Brooklyn as the team\u2019s top scoring option. Despite the record, Jordi Fernandez coached his way to an extension<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Zaire Williams<\/a> and Day\u2019Ron Sharpe<\/a> played valuable minutes, and Josh Minott<\/a> played well down the stretch after being traded to Brooklyn. Rookies Egor Demin<\/a>, Nolan Traore<\/a>, Drake Powell<\/a>, Ben Saraf<\/a>, and Danny Wolf<\/a> all played quality minutes for Brooklyn this season.<\/p>\n

The roster is a clear work in progress, with the team still looking for a franchise superstar. The Nets were tied for the highest odds to pick first in this draft, but ultimately did not luck out.<\/p>\n

Nets Draft Picks<\/p>\n

Round 1 \u2014 N0. 6
\nRound 2 \u2014 No. 33
\nRound 2 \u2014 No. 43 (via LAC)<\/p>\n

Nets Team Needs<\/p>\n

The Nets have good pieces all around their roster, but are not set at any position yet. When approaching the draft, Brooklyn should focus on players with the highest upside and take swings on high-level talent. Brooklyn\u2019s pick falls in the range of where the big-name guards start to get taken, making one of the scoring guards a main priority.<\/p>\n

Fully rounding out the team with the best available would be the most effective way for Brooklyn to approach the draft.<\/p>\n

Nets Draft Targets
\nMikel Brown<\/a> Jr. \u2014 PG\/SG \u2014 Louisville<\/p>\n

Mikel Brown Jr. has as high an upside as anyone in the class. Brown was a five-star recruit<\/a> coming out of high school and had a great freshman season for the Cardinals despite battling injuries. Even if some of the numbers don\u2019t stand out as much, Brown is a better player than stats indicate.<\/p>\n

Measuring in at 6-foot-3.5 at the combine, Brown provides enough size to play both as a point guard or a shooting guard. His offensive game is well-rounded as he can score from every level. His ability to create shots with and without the ball opens up his possibilities on offense. Despite some games with high turnover counts, he can see the floor really well and makes some really tough passes.<\/p>\n

Mikel Brown Jr, if he is there and healthy, seems like a pretty easy choice at 6th. <\/p>\n

Has the upside to dribble, pass and shoot along with size. His nuclear shooting and high 3pr give him the highest upside of anyone outside the top 4 by a good margin. pic.twitter.com\/Xh004UZf2F<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Brooklyn Netcast (@BrooklynNetcast) May 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Mikel Brown Jr. has a great mix of scoring, playmaking, and defensive capabilities. With all his tools, the big thing is finding the consistency and putting it all together. If he can put it together, the sky is the limit for Mikel Brown Jr.<\/p>\n

Darius Acuff Jr.<\/a> \u2014 PG \u2014 Arkansas<\/p>\n

If Brooklyn is looking for a legit scoring guard, it is harder to find one better than Darius Acuff Jr. Acuff had a really strong freshman season for Arkansas, leading them to the Sweet Sixteen in March Madness. Acuff put together one of the better offensive seasons in college basketball, showcasing his tremendous upside.<\/p>\n

Acuff is extremely talented with the ball in his hands. Measuring at the combine at 6-foot-2, he can score the ball with ease, while creating for himself and others off the dribble. He has a quick first step, can absorb contact well, and is also athletically gifted. Despite concerns about Acuff\u2019s defense, he measured a 6-foot-7 wingspan, which offers some hope as a defender.<\/p>\n

While the smaller scoring guards don\u2019t always find success in the NBA, Acuff has all the tools to be a franchise point guard. His ability to score and facilitate makes him another strong option for Brooklyn at six.<\/p>\n

Alex Karaban<\/a> \u2014 SF\/PF \u2014 UConn<\/p>\n

Alex Karaban is a very projectable player, despite not having crazy upside. Although he is one of the older guys in this class, his playstyle is something every NBA team could use. Karaban played four seasons at UConn, where he was a major contributor to the program\u2019s success.<\/p>\n

Karaban helped UConn win two National Championships and led them to their third this season. Even though he is not the flashiest or the most athletic player, his elite three-point shooting and his winning pedigree make him a very impactful player. Karaban shot 37% from three throughout his college career and shot even better at the combine.<\/p>\n

Alex Karaban NBA Combine:
6\u20196.75\u201d 225 lbs, 6\u201911\u201d wingspan<\/p>\n

Midrange Shooting | 21\/25 (1st)
3pt Shooting | 18\/25 (T-1st)
Spot-Up Shooting | 18\/25 (T-3rd)
Off-Dribble Shooting | 22\/30 (T-4th)<\/p>\n

No-Step Vertical: (T-24th)
Max Vertical: (T-24th)
3\/4 Court Sprint (24th)
Shuttle (22nd) pic.twitter.com\/TNo6H6vI7T<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) May 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

At 6-foot-7 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, he has good size, allowing him to be a smart defender. The traits he has project him as a valuable 3-and-D wing in the NBA. Players like Karaban always find roles in the NBA, making him a good target for Brooklyn in the second round.<\/p>\n