The Brooklyn Nets are staring down a pivotal moment in their rebuild, and if the latest mock draft from Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor is any indication, they might be ready to make a bold move that prioritizes raw potential over positional need.
With the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery set for Sunday, the Nets still don't know exactly where they'll be picking. But O'Connor's mock draft has them taking North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson with the third overall pick—a decision that turns heads not because of Wilson's talent, but because of who Brooklyn passes on to get him.
"Wilson is the most gifted athlete in the draft class," O'Connor writes. "He's 6-foot-10 with springs for legs. When he's flying above the rim, finishing through contact, and chasing down every shot in his area code, he looks like a future franchise cornerstone."
That kind of athleticism is exactly what a rebuilding team craves. But the real surprise? The Nets are projected to select Wilson over Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, a highly touted prospect who many see as a perfect fit for a backcourt-hungry team.
O'Connor explains the logic: "That's exactly what the Nets need. They drafted a ton of guards last year, and they still hope one of them will pan out—which plays into the decision to put Wilson ahead of Kansas guard Darryn Peterson in this mock. Having a guy like Wilson could help, but he still needs to figure out his jumper, and he hasn't shown any consistency as a shooter at any level. Still, even without the jumper, his athleticism alone gives him star upside."
The mock draft has the Washington Wizards taking BYU forward AJ Dybantsa first overall, followed by the Indiana Pacers selecting Duke forward Cameron Boozer at No. 2. If that scenario plays out, the Nets would be left choosing between Wilson's ceiling and Peterson's polish.
For a team still early in its rebuild, fit might not be the top priority. But O'Connor suggests Brooklyn's 2025 draft class—loaded with guards like Nolan Traore and Egor Demin—could influence their thinking. Adding Peterson might crowd the backcourt, while Wilson offers a dynamic frontcourt presence that could elevate the entire roster.
Either way, Sunday's lottery will set the stage for what promises to be a fascinating decision. For Nets fans, the question is simple: do you bet on the athlete who can change the game with his explosiveness, or the guard who can run the offense for years to come?