The Brooklyn Nets came away from the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery with the unfortunate outcome of falling a few spots from the No. 3 pick to the No. 6 pick. Brooklyn still has a pick that’s high enough to draft a quality player from the 2026 class, but there is the possibility of them trying to get a better position. Could the Nets trade up for the No. 3 pick?
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported for The Stein Line earlier this month that the Memphis Grizzlies could be exploring trade-down scenarios after coming away from the Lottery with the No. 3 pick. The Grizzlies could potentially want to continue their rebuild without guard Ja Morant in the fold and the popular belief is that they would have to give other teams a good reason to take on Morant.
Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley recently proposed a scenario where the Nets and Grizzlies strike a deal that potentially helps both franchises get what they want. In Buckley’s proposal, Brooklyn would send the No. 6 pick, center Nic Claxton, and forward Terance Mann to the Grizzlies in exchange for the No. 3 pick and Morant, something that could potentially happen depending on what general manager Sean Marks wants to do.
Based on most mock drafts, the players available at the No. 3 pick are either Duke forward Cameron Boozer or North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson with there being valid reasons to select either player. With the Nets sending away Claxton in the mock trade, Brooklyn would need to replace his production in some way and that role could be filled by either Boozer or Wilson.
Morant, 26, is one of the more talented players in the NBA, but his stock around the league appears to be trending down due to his recent injuries and off-the-court issues. However, he is a two-time All-Star and even if he isn’t able to regain his previous form, taking on Morant and his contract would allow the Nets to take either Boozer or Wilson and come away from the draft satisfied, assuming that Marks and the front office feel that way.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Could the Nets trade up to the No. 3 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft?
Reporting by Sharif Phillips-Keaton, Nets Wire / Nets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
