The Brooklyn Nets are still in the early stages of their rebuild as they’re looking for their next franchise player that can lead the franchise back to the playoffs. While Brooklyn is waiting to see if any of their five players from the 2025 NBA Draft can fit that bill, the team should still keep an eye on the 2026 NBA Draft as they could bring in another talented player.
“It’s been a fairly seamless transition for Darryn Peterson. He’s looked quick and slithery getting to his spots. The tough shotmaking has shown early,” NBA Draft expert Jonathan Wasserman wrote for Bleacher Report. Kansas guard Darryn Peterson is expected to be one of the best players in the 2026 class, along with players like BYU forward AJ Dybantsa and Duke forward Cameron Boozer.
“Peterson has actually scored more efficiently from off the ball with his movement and catch-and-shoot game. Aggressive defensively, he’s already blown up multiple plays and turned them into fastbreak points the other way,” Wasserman continued. “Everything looks on track for Peterson in terms of his creation translating, his perimeter firepower and two-way impact. So far he’s managed 43 points on 25 shots, and that’s without his pull-up even falling.”
Peterson, who Wasserman compares to Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, has played two games thus far in the college basketball season, averaging 21.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 2.0 steals per game. With the Nets having a 1-10 record heading into Thursday’s slate of games, it seems that Brooklyn is one of the teams in position to draft someone like Peterson.
Per Tankathon, the Nets are projected to have either the second or the third pick as they have the same record as the Indiana Pacers and one loss less than the 1-11 Washington Wizards. Obviously, whether Brooklyn ends up with the first overall pick will depend on their luck in the Lottery, but as of now, general manager Sean Marks and the front office should be able to set their sights on Peterson.