Brooklyn Nets' Top Needs After 2026 NBA Draft Lottery Results
The NBA Draft lottery is in the books, and the Brooklyn Nets are now set at pick No. 6.
As they continue to evaluate the prospects who may be available there, we're here to break down the biggest needs for Brooklyn to address in the draft.
A Star (Playmaker)
In his first campaign with the Brooklyn Nets and as a No. 1 option, Michael Porter Jr. put up career highs in points (24.2), threes (3.4) and assists (3.0) per game. But his effective field-goal percentage, though still above average, was his lowest ever (with the exception of 2021-22, when he only appeared in nine games).
That's a pretty good indication that MPJ might be most useful in a role that looks a little closer to the one he had with the Denver Nuggets. At the very least, he would be better if he shared the floor with a high-level offensive engine who creates shots for himself and others.
Wing
The Nets famously (or at this point, maybe infamously) kept all five of their first-round picks from 2025, three of whom are point guards. There's obviously still plenty of time for each of them to develop into a regular contributor, so Brooklyn could prioritize going after a wing capable of bothering opponents' perimeter threats.
One of the biggest themes of the last two postseasons is how important aggressive, physical defense is. The Nets don't really have any members of the young core who clearly check that box.
Shooting
Going with "shooting" feels like sort of a cop-out. Just about every basketball team at every level could justify wanting more shooting.
But at 34.0 percent, the Nets were tied for the worst three-point percentage in the NBA last season. For them, this is a very real need.
Realistic Draft Targets at No. 6 Pick
- Keaton Wagler (Illinois, G)
- Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas, G)
- Brayden Burries (Arizona, SG)
As B/R NBA Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman puts it in his post-Lottery Mock Draft: "The Brooklyn Nets should be focused on drafting the best player available over filling needs. That could lead to Darius Acuff Jr., who could play on and off the ball next to big playmaker in Egor Demin."
If Acuff ends up going a spot higher to the LA Clippers at No. 5, Keaton Wagler likely fills the "best player available" bucket, making it easier to draft another on-ball guard, and one whose jumper is also built for an off-ball role in Brooklyn.
*Check out full scouting reports for Keaton Wagler, Darius Acuff Jr. and Brayden Burries
