The Brooklyn Nets are nearing the end of their 2025-26 NBA season after enduring another rebuilding campaign that will hopefully provide them with their next franchise player via the 2026 NBA Draft. Brooklyn has been trying to win as many games as possible while developing the younger players on the team, but the Nets are also hoping to get lucky for the Draft.
Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Nets selected five players from the 2025 NBA Draft: guard Egor Demin, guard Nolan Traore, forward Drake Powell, guard Ben Saraf, and forward Danny Wolf. While each of the rookies have had their fair share of successes and struggles, Brooklyn still needs more talent on the roster if it is going to compete as soon as next season.
That’s not to say that these rookies won’t be a factor in the rotation next season, but the Nets are where they are in the Lottery standings for a reason given how much the team has struggled this year. With that being said, here are five players to pay attention to in Friday’s NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 that could be draft prospects for the Nets (with the help of Tankathon’s Big Board):
Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois
Wagler had arguably his best game of the NCAA Tournament as he dropped 25 points and three assists in Illinois’ 71-59 win over Iowa in the Elite Eight. Wagler seems to be projected to be taken towards the end of the top 10 in the 2026 NBA Draft so he could under consideration if the Nets receive the worst luck possible when it comes to the Lottery.
Brayden Burries, G, Arizona
Burries had a solid offensive outing in Arizona’s 79-64 win over Purdue in the Elite Eight as he scored 14 points along with totaling six rebounds and three steals in 33 minutes. Burries appears to have a similar projection to Wagler, but Burries has a bigger body that could make him more of a versatile player at the next level to couple with his outstanding shooting.
Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan
Lendeborg has been one of the best players in the Tournament thus far as he has done a little bit of everything for Michigan, including dropping 27 points and seven rebounds in the Wolverines’ 95-62 win over Tennessee in the Elite Eight. Lendeborg is projected to be taken towards the end of the Lottery so he’s most likely out of Brooklyn’s range, but if they like him enough, he could be a player worth reaching for.
Alex Karaban, F, UConn
Karaban struggled in UConn’s 73-72 win over Duke in the Elite Eight, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that he’s been playing well since the Tournament began, especially with his three-level scoring. Karaban is projected to be taken in the early second round and that could be a good spot for the Nets to take a chance on a player with his shooting ability.
Morez Johnson Jr., F, Michigan
Johnson is another player projected to be taken in the early part of the second round and it makes sense given how he’s played thus far in the Tournament. Johnson put up 12 points and five rebounds in Michigan’s win over Tennessee in the Elite Eight and he could be the kind of power forward to take the pressure off Nic Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe on the boards.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: 5 Nets 2026 NBA Draft prospects to watch in NCAA Tournament Final Four
Reporting by Sharif Phillips-Keaton, Nets Wire / Nets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
