The Brooklyn Nets enter this year’s draft in a tougher spot than expected after being projected to land a top-three pick but ultimately sliding to No. 6. That drop changes their strategy a bit, but the possibilities are still endless.
They can still make a trade to either move up or get multiple lower picks, stick with a safer prospect who can make an impact early, or take a chance and hope they land a future star. Even at No. 6, this draft still gives Brooklyn a few different options; it just makes everything a little more complicated than they were expecting.
First, let’s talk about the safe picks. Who the Nets get is ultimately decided by who the Clippers draft. The top two players at Brooklyn’s draft slot will probably be two of these three players: Darius Acuff, Keaton Wagler, and Kingston Flemings. Each of them went far in the March Madness tournament, proving they can compete at a high level. So, what can Brooklyn get out of each of these players?
At the combine, Acuff measured at 6-2 barefoot with a 36.5-inch running vertical leap. But most of all, he placed first in the 3/4 court sprint for his position, proving his remarkable athleticism. We saw Acuff carry Arkansas to the Sweet 16 in March, which shot him up on draft boards, with some even saying he is the best guard in this class. Acuff is still on the smaller side, but with that athleticism, he can still be very successful in the league. Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell had similar concerns going into the draft. “His sturdy build should help him keep up with NBA physicality. None of that assuages the concerns around his poor defense, but his offensive bona fides vaulted him into this range of the draft and will keep him there,” said Jeramy Woo in his ESPN mock draft. Brooklyn’s current roster doesn’t have a true scorer, so Acuff has the potential to be their future star and has proven he can take a leadership role when needed.
Keaton Wagler showed why he has the perfect build for a modern-day NBA guard. Wagler had not been officially measured until the combine. Standing at 6-5 barefoot, he has a very compact and symmetrical stature and placed pretty average in the combine drills. There were many concerns about his athleticism, but he makes up for it with a winning mentality. With these types of guards, being highly athletic does not usually matter unless they are undersized. Wagler can very easily make an immediate impact at the NBA level and has the mindset to do it. If Brooklyn were to draft Wagler, they would have to make the tough decision to play him as a shooting guard or move Egor Dëmin to the two and let Wagler run the offense.
Kingston Flemings showed why he has the tools to become one of the top guards in the NBA. At the combine, Flemings measured at 6’2 ½ barefoot, which was smaller than his originally listed height of 6’4. Nonetheless, he still has a strong frame and explosive athleticism; he combines size, speed, and feel for the game at a very high level. Flemings immediately stepped into a major role at Houston and played with the confidence of a veteran, averaging 16.0 points and 5.2 assists while leading the offense to the Sweet 16. There are still concerns about his shooting mechanics and whether they will consistently translate against NBA defenses. On the defensive end, he competes at a high level and has the ability to guard multiple positions thanks to his instincts, effort, and physical tools. Flemings has the leadership qualities and upside to make an immediate impact while still possessing significant long-term All-Star potential. Flemings’ defensive presence would be very impactful for the Nets’ future.
Don’t get me wrong, these young guards are great picks, but the Nets drafted four guards last year. They are already guard-heavy, so why not go for a big man to even out the roster? Here’s the problem: all the big men available at their pick will definitely be a reach. So here are three guys that I think have the potential to be all-stars that Brooklyn could take a chance on, whether it’s trading down or taking a gamble.
Aday Mara has shot up draft boards, now expected to be a top 10 pick after helping Michigan win a Big Ten title and the NCAA tournament. The 7-foot-3 center stands out for his size, soft touch, rim protection, rebounding, and passing ability. He averaged 12.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks and got a Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award. Mara’s biggest weakness is his speed, as he can struggle defending quicker players. Additionally, there are concerns about his free-throw shooting. Even so, his size and skill give him a strong upside as a traditional NBA center. He would be a perfect fit in the Nets’ young offense. Mara could instantly become a DPOY candidate and the cornerstone of Brooklyn’s defense.
Hannes Steinbach is a powerful freshman forward who became one of college basketball’s best interior players, averaging 18.5 points and a nation-leading 11.8 rebounds per game. His physicality, rebounding, and post scoring draw comparisons to Alperen Şengün and Domantas Sabonis. Steinbach also runs the floor well and handles the ball very well for a big man. His biggest concerns are inconsistent perimeter shooting and questions about defending quicker NBA players. With all of this taken into account, Steinbach is projected to be a mid to late first-round pick. Meaning that the Nets would likely trade down to draft him. Rebounding was a huge problem for Brooklyn this season. With Steinbach being arguably the best rebounder in this class, he would be extremely helpful for a team that struggles on the glass.
Koa Peat raised concerns at the NBA Draft Combine after struggling in shooting drills, going 6-of-25 on spot-up threes and 6-of-25 in the star drill, while scouts questioned his shooting mechanics. His freshman season at Arizona also wasn’t great, as he made only 31.6% of his threes and 61.6% of his free throws. Concerns also began to rise about his defensive versatility due to average foot speed, limited lateral quickness, and trouble guarding quicker players. Scouts continue to question his long-term NBA fit and offensive ceiling due to his horrific shooting. So, you might be thinking, why would you ever draft this guy? Well, in my opinion, everything is pointing to him being a future All-Star. First, his undeniable power. Peat’s toughness, motor, and mentality give him all the tools to become one of the league’s best big men. All of this, combined with his 6’8″, 235 lbs muscular frame, literally makes him unstoppable in the paint. He proved his athleticism at the combine, posting a 38.5-inch max vertical and placing 3rd in the no-step vertical jump. He also placed 5th in the 3/4-court sprint. His shooting mechanics can very easily be fixed by NBA coaches; he doesn’t need to be an elite shooter, just serviceable. This might sound crazy, but Peat somewhat reminds me of a young Giannis Antetokounmpo. I’m not saying that the Nets should draft him at 6, but if they do trade down and he is still on the board, I would definitely consider taking him.
Brooklyn falling to pick No. 6 would likely take them out of range for the top-tier big man in the 2026 draft. Using the Spotrac Trade Machine, the Nets can move up to No. 4 by sending Chicago their 2026 first-round pick (6th) and two second-rounders, which gives them a chance to land Caleb Wilson. Wilson is a 6’10” forward with elite athleticism and defensive versatility. He runs the floor extremely well, rebounds at a high level, and shows flashes of shot creation and passing ability. His skillset and physical tools draw comparisons to Chris Bosh and Jermaine O’Neal. This trade works because Brooklyn gets the chance to draft a potential franchise player, while Chicago gains extra draft capital and still can get a good prospect at No. 6.
Overall, the Nets still have a lot of good options even after dropping to the sixth pick.
They can draft a safer player, take a risk on upside, or trade picks. No matter what happens, this draft could play a huge role in Brooklyn’s future success.
Sources:
https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/combine
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