Feb. 17, 2026, 9:31 a.m. ET

The Brooklyn Nets have not been playing their best brand of basketball since the calendar turned to January as they looked more like the struggling team that was present to begin the season. While head coach Jordi Fernandez and the rest of Brooklyn’s roster is working hard to turn the season around, there may be hope for them when it comes to the 2026 NBA Draft.

“The level of interest around Kingston Flemings has remained strong since big early games against Arkansas and Tennessee,” Jonathan Wasserman wrote for Bleacher Report in his latest mock draft. For most of the season, Wasserman has projected the Nets to take Houston freshman guard Kingston Flemings with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft due to how well he has been playing this season.

“That’s mainly because he’s remained very reliable, efficient and effective in late-game situations that show the type of maturity and leadership NBA executives crave from point guards,” Wasserman continued on Flemings. “Stats aside, the eye test really buys his quick first move and powerful burst for creating and finishing at the next level.”

Flemings, 19, is averaging 16.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 49.7% from the field and 38.8% from three-point land in 26 games played for the Cougars this season. Flemings, who Wasserman compares to San Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox, is expected to be in the next tier of draft prospects along with North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson and Illinois guard Keaton Wagler.

With the Nets heading into the All-Star Break with the fifth-worst record in the league, there’s a possibility that they won’t be in a position to select Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, or Duke forward Cameron Boozer. However, with some scouts believing that this draft could be deeper that most classes in the past, Brooklyn could still end up with a difference-maker if they don’t get good luck in the Lottery.

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