The Brooklyn Nets had an interesting choice to make when it came to the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, especially since a few of their potential targets were on the board. Brooklyn has been linked to various players over the course of the pre-draft process, but they eventually went with the guy that they met with behind the scenes multiple times.
The Nets chose Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. with the No. 6 pick after the Los Angeles Clippers selected Illinois guard Keaton Wagler with the No. 5 pick. Brown worked out for the Nets and met with team brass multiple times prior to his being selected by the team on Tuesday and now, Brooklyn and Brown can move forward knowing who the point guard of the future will be.
Brown is coming off an impressive freshman season for the Cardinals as he averaged 18.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 41.0% from the field and 34.4% from behind the three-point line. While Brown produced during his time with Louisville, he missed some time during the season due to a back injury, but he showed over the pre-draft process that he has recovered from the injury.
As it stands, Brown could slot in as the starting point guard alongside a starting lineup of Egor Demin, Michael Porter Jr., Julius Randle, and Day’Ron Sharpe, assuming that the Nets pick up his $6.25 million team option. To start the season, it’s possible that head coach Jordi Fernandez can start Nolan Traore at point guard, but that could depend on what happens in training camp in the fall.
Brown is in an interesting position for the Nets given that he is the highest-drafted player by Brooklyn since Derrick Favors was selected by the Nets with the No. 3 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. Brooklyn also still has all five rookies from the 2025 NBA Draft that the team is still trying to develop, but Brown is now in the fold and he sounds like he is ready to get his NBA career started.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets take Mikel Brown Jr. with No. 6 overall pick in 2026 NBA Draft
Reporting by Sharif Phillips-Keaton, Nets Wire / Nets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sharif Phillips-Keaton, Nets Wire | USA TODAY Network
