CHICAGO — The Brooklyn Nets came away from the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery with a disappointing result as they ended up with the No. 6 overall pick in the first round. Brooklyn was hoping to either keep the No. 3 pick that they started with, but given their new position, the Nets could be targeting a guard that has plenty of potential to be a difference-making talent.
“It would be a great opportunity right there. Like I said, 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, obviously, and the people behind me,” Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. said at the NBA Draft Combine earlier this month. Brown had an impressive showing during the Combine and he appears to have improved his draft stock in the pre-draft process.
“It’s something that we’re definitely interested in and looking forward to building a relationship with them,” Brown continued. Brown was asked how he would feel playing for the Nets if the team decided to take him with the No. 6 pick and he seemed open to playing for a franchise that head coach Jordi Fernandez is trying to lead back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2022-23 season.
Brown, who was playing through a back injury through the 2025-26 campaign, played just 21 games for the Cardinals, but he still put himself in position to be a Lottery pick. Brown, 18, 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 as Louisville made it all the way to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Brown said during the Combine that his back injury has healed to the point that he feels that it won’t be an issue moving forward and that NBA teams seem to be receptive to that. Brooklyn selected four guards in the 2025 NBA Draft so it’s possible that the franchise could be looking to address another position, but Brown could be an interesting choice for them at No. 6.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Potential Nets 2026 NBA Draft pick Mikel Brown Jr. talks fit with team
Reporting by Sharif Phillips-Keaton, Nets Wire / Nets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
