March 16, 2026, 4:31 p.m. ET
The Brooklyn Nets are hoping to finish the 2025-26 NBA season on a strong note by seeing production out of some of the younger players on the team along with some of the Two-Way guys showing what they can do at the NBA level. At the moment, Brooklyn has the third-worst record in the league, meaning the the Nets could have the best chance of getting the first overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft.
Ever since the Nets traded Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks for a bevy of first-round picks, Brooklyn has made it clear that it’s trying to find its next franchise player in the Draft, as opposed to doing what it did a few years ago by trade. While it’s appealing to trade for someone like Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Nets have decided to take their time building the team back up to a playoff contender.
One of the most exciting times in Nets franchise history is when general manager Sean Marks swung for the fences by trading for then-Houston Rockets superstar James Harden to pair with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The only thing is, thanks to changes to the CBA over the past few years, stars aren’t changing teams in free-agency like Durant and Irving did to come to Brooklyn.
That means that for teams like the Nets, building through the Draft is the most viable way to acquire a superstar given that trading for someone like Antetokounmpo, for example, would likely weaken the team and the assets available to acquire more talent. When it comes to free-agency, players are more incentivized to sign extensions with their teams, even if they desire to play elsewhere.
Ultimately, those circumstances mean that Brooklyn has to hope for luck in the Draft and the best shot at getting lucky is finishing with the top-3 worst record in the Association. Assuming that the Nets are able to maintain their standing with one of the three worst records, here are five players for them to consider with the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament slated to begin on Thursday:
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!BYU F AJ Dybantsa
Dybantsa seems to be regarded as the best player in the upcoming Draft as he seems to be hitting his stride as BYU has gotten closer to the postseason tournaments. With Dybantsa being regarded as a small-forward, that means that he would presumably be playing behind Michael Porter Jr. to start next season, but if the Nets were able to select him, that could mean Porter is elsewhere.
Kansas G Darryn Peterson
At one point this season, Peterson was viewed as the best player in this class due to his shooting ability and how adaptable his game looks for the next level. However, Peterson appears to be sliding down draft boards as he continues to deal with repeated cramping episodes, but the tournament could show if he’s able to play through those ailments when the games become one-and-done.
Duke F Cameron Boozer
Boozer has steadily been in the top-3 of the 2026 class with most people covering the Draft ranking him as either the second-best prospect to the third-best prospect. Boozer looks like the kind of do-it-all power forward that some team will take after Dybantsa and Peterson are off the board, but could also be more than just a solid starter at his position given how he’s elevated his game over the course of this season.
Houston G Kingston Flemings
Yes, Flemings is a point guard and Brooklyn selected at least three point guards (depending on what one thinks about Danny Wolf) in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, with the way Flemings has looked this season for the Cougars, his relative shooting ability, playmaking, and defensive tenacity could be something that Marks and head coach Jordi Fernandez aren’t able to pass up on if he’s the best option left on the board.
G Keaton Wagler
Wagler has dramatically improved his draft stock since the beginning of the season and with the Nets still potentially having a need for a bigger off-guard, the Illinois could fit the bill if Brooklyn slides down the draft board. Wagler has shown the ability to be skilled in creating shots for himself, but the Nets may not be able to overcome his relative athletic shortcomings at the same time.