The Brooklyn Nets finished the 2025-26 NBA season with the third-worst record in the league, meaning they would have the third overall pick in just simple reverse order of win-loss records. However, Brooklyn is still subject to the NBA Draft Lottery that could shift where they pick from No. 1 to No. 7 based off the odds involved throughout the entire exercise.
As of this writing, the Nets are tied with the Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers for the highest chance (14.0%) of getting the No. 1 overall pick, given them the ability to select whoever they want. In a class headlined by players like BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, and Duke forward Cameron Boozer, Brooklyn shouldn't be too disappointed to not be lucky enough to get the No. 1 selection.
Many around the NBA believe that Dybantsa, Peterson, and Boozer are all in the same tier with the second tier being comprised of players like North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson and Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. The Nets still have some planning to do before the Lottery comes around on May 10 so for the time being, here are the most likely spots Brooklyn can land based on the percentages:
Based on Jonathan Wasserman's recent mock drafts for Bleacher Report, Illinois guard Keaton Wagler is projected to be the No. 6 overall pick because of how much he broke out this season. Wagler's selling points are his size at the guard spot (6-foot-6, 180 pounds) to couple with his excellent shooting ability from behind the three-point line (39.7%).
Acuff displayed his dynamic ability to make plays for his Arkansas teammates at a higher level in the NCAA Tournament against some of the best teams in the country. Acuff is more on the smaller size for a guard (6-foot-3, 180 pounds) based on where the NBA is going at the position, but his offensive ability could be too much to pass up on at No. 5.
Once Richie Saunders went down for the Cougars, Dybantsa was able to show more of his skillset, especially being the main ball-handler on the team and that probably solidified his stock as the No. 1 pick. Dybantsa appears to have the desired frame for an impactful wing in the NBA (6-foot-9, 210 pounds) and his performance along should be tantalizing for any team with the first overall pick.
Peterson began this season as the presumptive No. 1 player in the class based off his prolific high school career, but this season showed what the cracks in his profile could be. To be clear, Peterson arguably has the best overall package in terms of shotmaking and defensive ability, but his cramping issues that impacted him throughout the season could give some teams cause to pause.
There will be plenty of talk over whether Boozer, the son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, is being underrated because of his weaknesses or overvalued for his strengths. Be that as it may, Boozer could be the most polished prospect in this class regardless of position and the amount of winning he has done throughout his young career should give some insight into his intangibles.
Wilson had his year ended prematurely due to a hand injury and because of that, he wasn't able to show his high-flying, versatile skillset against some of the best teams in the Tournament. However, Wilson could be one of those players that make the NBA community wonder why he was regarded as the fourth-best player in his class because of how high his ceiling is.
Houston guard Kingston Flemings is one of the guards in this class that appears ready to contribute to a winning team right away because of what he is able to do on both ends of the court while looking like he is barely breaking a sweat. Flemings has the shooting and playmaking to be a Lottery pick, but there will be questions over whether he can be an all-around threat on the offensive end as opposed to being just a perimeter jump-shooter.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Which pick are the Nets most likely to get in the 2026 NBA Draft?