The Brooklyn Nets might just be the unluckiest franchise in the NBA. Just five years ago, the Nets featured a dangerous trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving — pushing the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks to seven games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
With seconds remaining in Game 7, Durant drilled what looked like a game-winning three-pointer, seemingly sending Brooklyn to the Eastern Conference Finals. However, his foot was on the line, turning the shot into a game-tying two-pointer instead. The Nets eventually fell in overtime, ending what many believed could have been the beginning of a legendary era in Brooklyn.
Now in 2026, after finishing 20-62, the lottery balls once again weren’t in Brooklyn’s favor. The Nets will select sixth overall in a little over a month, giving the franchise several directions to take in what many believe is one of the deepest draft classes in years. Here are three possible paths Brooklyn could take.
Darius Acuff Jr., PG — Arkansas
Potential lineup
- Darius Acuff
- Egor Demin
- Michael Porter Jr.
- Noah Clowney
- Nic Claxton
Darius Acuff Jr. possesses the ability to become one of the best players in this draft class — that’s simply how loaded the 2026 class is. More importantly, Acuff provides Brooklyn with its biggest need: a true star guard capable of taking over offensively.
Acuff was one of the most impressive freshmen in college basketball this past season, averaging 23.5 points and six assists per contest while shooting 48.4% from the field and 40% from three-point range. The Arkansas freshman delivered a historic season, becoming the first freshman to average at least 23 points and six assists in a Power Five conference since Trae Young.
Adding Acuff to Brooklyn’s lineup would give the Nets a high-volume offensive engine who thrives in the pick-and-roll. Acuff would immediately step in as the team’s primary floor general, allowing Brooklyn’s young wings to play off his gravity while veterans provide defensive stability around him.
Keaton Wagler, PG — Illinois
Potential lineup
- Keaton Wagler
- Egor Demin
- Michael Porter Jr.
- Noah Clowney
- Nic Claxton
Like Acuff, adding Keaton Wagler gives Brooklyn a legitimate guard option. However, there’s a major contrast between the two prospects. Wagler stands at 6-foot-6, three inches taller than Acuff, providing a stronger fit for a Nets roster lacking versatile guard play.
Wagler set an Illinois program record in 2026, averaging 17.9 PPG while shooting 39% from beyond the arc, helping lead the program to a Final Four appearance. Unlike some of Brooklyn’s other young guards who are attack-first scorers, Wagler is viewed as a selfless facilitator with a high basketball IQ, averaging 4.2 assists per game. He thrives in the pick-and-roll, where his quick processing allows him to dissect defenses with precision.
A trade?
Well, the lottery balls definitely weren’t in Brooklyn’s favor. Heading into the draft, the Nets held a 52.1% chance at landing a top-four pick, while also owning a 14% chance at securing the No. 1 overall pick alongside the Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers. Instead, Brooklyn dropped to No. 6.
The 2026 NBA offseason is expected to become one of the craziest in recent memory, with several superstar-level players potentially becoming available. Could Brooklyn package the No. 6 pick in a blockbuster deal?
Giannis Antetokounmpo will easily be the biggest name on the market if made available, with teams across the NBA expected to line up with historic trade offers. Brooklyn, meanwhile, owns the league’s most cap space while also controlling a large collection of future draft picks — making the Nets one of the more logical landing spots for Milwaukee’s superstar.
Adding Antetokounmpo immediately gives Brooklyn a true franchise centerpiece while still maintaining enough flexibility to continue building the roster in free agency.
Besides the former NBA champion, there are other potential options as well, including Jaylen Brown. After the Boston Celtics blew a 3-1 series lead to the Philadelphia 76ers in the opening round of the playoffs, speculation has already started surrounding Brown’s future in Boston.
The 29-year-old carried Boston throughout stretches of the season while Jayson Tatum dealt with injuries, averaging 28.7 points, six rebounds, and five assists per contest.
Holding a top-10 pick in a draft this loaded gives any franchise flexibility — and right now, the Nets have plenty of it.
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