After finishing with the third-worst record in the NBA in 2025/26, Brooklyn fell in the draft lottery for the second straight year, dropping from No. 3 to No. 6. Assuming they don’t trade up to select a consensus top-four prospect, the Nets will likely be left choosing between a talented group of freshman guards, writes C.J. Holmes of The New York Daily News.
Of the five-player group, which features Darius Acuff, Mikel Brown, Kingston Flemings, Brayden Burries and Keaton Wagler, Holmes believes Brown could be the “cleanest all-around fit” for the Nets based on his his measurements, athletic testing, and results in shooting drills at the draft combine.
As Holmes notes, Brown had both the top standing reach (8’4.5″) and longest wingspan (6’7.5″) of the group and is an explosive athlete too. The Nets’ front office has long prioritized “size and versatility,” which Brown could provide as a guard who can play both on and off the ball.
Still, all the players bring their own strengths to the table, Holmes writes. Acuff was the most polished offensive player in college; Flemings tested like the best all-around athlete; Burries is a little bigger/stronger and was a two-way contributor at Arizona; and Wagler is the tallest of the group and led Illinois to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament.
Here’s more on the Nets’ guard options at No. 6:
- In a similar story for The New York Post (subscriber link), Brian Lewis shares his combine takeaways for Acuff, Brown, Flemings and Wagler. Acuff was one of the “big winners” in the early portion of the event, according to Lewis, as he came in bigger than expected (6’2″ with a 6’7″ wingspan) while being one of the top performers in shooting drills.
- Asked at the combine what role he envisions for himself in the NBA, Acuff didn’t hesitate. “Definitely a superstar point guard for sure,” Acuff said, according to Lewis. “Bring a lot of excitement to any city I go to, and just bring a lot of excitement straight from day one.” When asked how he defined a “superstar point guard,” the Arkansas guard replied, “A lot of accolades, just being on a winning team, it starts with the point guard. So any city I go to, I just want to win.” Lewis hears the Kings, who control the seventh pick, are fans of Acuff — general manager Scott Perry coached Acuff’s father (Darius Sr.) at Eastern Kentucky. As productive as he was offensively — and he had an incredible year statistically — there are major questions about Acuff’s “porous defense,” Lewis adds.
- As Lewis details in another article (subscription required), Brown may have the most upside of the five guards but he also might be the least polished. “It would be a great opportunity right there,” Brown said of potentially being drafted by the Nets. “Just continuing to build relationships with them as the time goes on and continue to talk to my family and my circle and my agent and the people behind me. It’s something that we’re definitely interested in, and looking forward to building a relationship with [the Nets].” Brown, who said he thinks play-making is his top skill, acknowledged some teams have questions about his shot selection and defensive effort, but he believes he “could be a really good two-way player in this league.” Both Acuff and Brown confirmed to the Post that they’ve talked to Brooklyn.
After Peterson goes #2. It will be interesting to see who the Bulls will take. Their pick can change the top ten. They should take Wagler. But who knows ??
2025 — Essengue
2024 — Buzelis
2022 — Terry
2921 — Dosunmu
2020 — Williams
2019 — Coby
2018 — W Carter
Bulls under Billy have to be the worst at evaluating talent. And developing talent. So I see them taking Wilson. Not a bad pick. Just the wrong one.
That leaves Clippers at #5 ?? Do they trade out. Or trade Garland and take Wagler or Acuff. I’ve read they like Acuff. Nets would be happy to get Wagler.
Sankara – Here’s my reply to your mock in the other post.
1) Washington Wizards – AJ Dybansta
2) Brooklyn Nets – Darren Peterson (trade with Utah)
3) Memphis Grizzlies – Caleb Wilson
4) Chicago Bulls – Cameron Boozer
5) LA Clippers – Keaton Wagler
6) Utah Jazz – Darius Acuff (trade with Brooklyn Nets)
7) Sacramento Kings – Kingston Flemings
8) Atlanta Hawks – Mikel Brown Jr
9) Dallas Mavericks – Brayden Burries
10) Milwaukee Bucks – Nate Ament
11) Golden State Warriors – Adey Mara
12) OKC Thunder – Labaron Philon
13) Miami Heat – Hannes Steinbach
14) Charlotte Hornets – Chris Cenac Jr
15) Chicago Bulls – Cameron Carr
16) Memphis Grizzlies – Christian Anderson
17) OKC Thunder – Jayden Quaintance
18) Charlotte Hornets – Morez Johnson JR
19) Toronto Raptors – Koa Peat
20) San Antonio Spurs – Isaiah Evans
21) Detroit Pistons – Bennett Stitiz
22) Philadelphia 76ers – Allen Graves
23) Atlanta Hawks – Dailyn Swain
24) New York Knicks – Amari Allen
25) LA Lakers – Ebuka Okorie
26) Denver Nuggets – Joshua Jefferson
27) Boston Celtics – Henri Veesaar
28) Minnesota Timberwolves – Tyler Tanner
29) Cleveland Cavaliers – Zuby Ejifor
30) Brooklyn Nets – Tarris Reed (trade with Dallas Mavericks)
Obviously this is taking into account not all trades that will happen in the middle part of the 1st round.
You both have the Griz passing on Boozer–any particular reason?
Interesting possibility that the Dubs take Mara over his teammate, but you don’t even have Lendeborg in the first round?
And this is precisely why I hate mocks I knew I would miss a player lmao. I honestly think Grizzlies take Caleb who is the better athlete and the transition game would be more suitable for them.
I’ll have to revise on the Lendeborg error. Thank you for catching!
I’m going to give you one with no trades on what I can see happen but just the lottery teams.
1. Washington Wizards- Cameron Boozer
2. Utah Jazz- A.J. Dybantsa
3. Memphis Grizzlies- Darryn Peterson
4. Chicago Bulls- Caleb Wilson
5. Los Angeles Clippers via
Indiana Pacers- Keaton Wagler
6. Brooklyn Nets- Mikel Brown Jr.
7. Sacramento Kings- Darius Acuff Jr.
8. Atlanta Hawks via
New Orleans Pelicans- Aday Mara
9. Dallas Mavericks- Kingston Flemings
10. Milwaukee Bucks- Brayden Burries
11. Golden State Warriors- Yaxel Lendeborg
12. Oklahoma City Thunder via
Los Angeles Clippers- Morez Johnson Jr.
13. Miami Heat- Cameron Carr
14. Charlotte Hornets- Nate Ament
If the Wizards want Boozer more than anyone they need to trade down. Anything less is malpractice.
You absolutely right. The Washington Wizards should trade down.
Just out of curiosity, in your mock draft what did Brooklyn give Utah to move up four spots?
I’ve been reading and listening that Brooklyn needs to nail this draft pick and Houston will get their 2027 1st rounder next year unprotected. They don’t have a legitimate franchise player on their roster and I believe they will be the team to watchout and move up in this draft. Utah gets other future assets but Brooklyn needs to come away in this draft to generate some buzz after losing out on Flagg last year and this year possibly Dybansta.
I could be wrong though lol I think they have the most incentive to trade up.