It could be another long season in Brooklyn.

The 2026-27 NBA season is here! Check out our team previews, including power rankings, best- and worst-case scenarios, and fantasy advice.

East:Atlanta Hawks • Boston Celtics • Brooklyn Nets • Charlotte Hornets • Chicago Bulls • Cleveland Cavaliers • Detroit Pistons • Indiana Pacers • Miami Heat • Milwaukee Bucks • New York Knicks • Orlando Magic • Philadelphia 76ers • Toronto Raptors • Washington Wizards

West:Dallas Mavericks • Denver Nuggets • Golden State Warriors • Houston Rockets • LA Clippers • Los Angeles Lakers • Memphis Grizzlies • Minnesota Timberwolves • New Orleans Pelicans • Oklahoma City Thunder • Phoenix Suns • Portland Trail Blazers • Sacramento Kings • San Antonio Spurs • Utah Jazz

BROOKLYN NETS2025-26 finish

Record: 20-62 (13th in the East, did not make the playoffs)

Offseason moves

Draft: Mikel Brown Jr. (No. 6), Joshua Jefferson (No. 28), Tyler Bilodeau (No. 43)

Signings: Day’Ron Sharpe (re-signed for 2 years, $20 million), Josh Minott (re-signed for 2 years, $9 million), Keon Ellis (2 years, $18 million), Chaney Johnson (re-signed to two-way contract), Moe Wagner (2 years, $19 million)

Trades: Julius Randle (from Timberwolves)

Key departures:Nic Claxton (traded to Bulls), Ziaire Williams (signed with Lakers)

Current roster

Preseason Power Rankings: No. 26

What’s exciting: Brown has a dangerous jumper, touch finishing with either hand, and processing speed. Though he may not be ready physically as a rookie, it’s going to be fun to see what he can do playing alongside so many other talented players who can handle the ball. Egor Dëmin has size, Danny Wolf is like a point center, and Nolan Traoré brings the speed. They all create advantages in different ways, which gives Jordi Fernández plenty of combinations to experiment with. So even if the Nets aren’t winning many games, it should at least be entertaining.

What’s concerning: The Rockets hold Nets first-round swap rights as a result of the James Harden trade. That means the Nets have no reward waiting for them in the lottery. So Brooklyn could spend another year at the bottom without enjoying the benefits. — Kevin O’Connor 

Preseason Power Rankings: How all 30 teams stack up ahead of 2026-27

Fantasy watch

Egor Dёmin is rising. It’s not just the five assists in both preseason appearances; he showed a real offensive bag against the Sixers, scoring 13 points in a variety of creative, impressive ways. The offseason bulk-up looks way more significant than Chet Holmgren’s (ha). Still waiting to see what rookie Mikel Brown Jr. has to offer. — Dan Titus

Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Basketball league for the 2026-27 NBA season

2026-27 schedule

Opening week: 10/21 vs. Hornets, 10/24 at Cavs

Complete schedule

Betting perspective

24.5 — win total

+50000 to win division

+100000 to win NBA Finals

Best case, worst case

Best Case: Flirting with the Play-In Tournament

There are two All-Star caliber players on the roster; a chip-on-the-shoulder campaign from Randle and another flame-throwing season from Porter could give the Nets a higher baseline than given credit for. Dёmin growth, Brown looking comfortable early, some interesting frontcourt pieces (Sharpe, Clowney) with Jordi Fernandez pulling the strings … I’d keep an eye out.

Worst Case: Bottom of the East

This could be a turnover-heavy offense paired with an awful defense. I would imagine the top-end talent (Randle, Porter) will be in trade rumors; the Nets cashing in on either of them would make the team worse in the short term. Worst record in the East is in play. — Nekias Duncan