The Brooklyn Nets came away from the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery with a disappointing result as they came away from the drawing with the No. 6 overall pick. Brooklyn could still exit the draft with one of the more talented players in the class, but there could be an argument for the Nets to remain focused on taking the best player available as opposed to being concerned with positional needs.
“Despite making a whopping five first-round selections last year, the Brooklyn Nets should still ignore positional need and take the best player on the board,” Greg Swartz wrote of the Nets for Bleacher Report. While the outlet was trying to decide how each team should approach the draft, it seems like the popular belief is that Brooklyn should still be accumulating as much talent as possible, regardless of needs.
“Egor Demin showed the most promise as a 6’8″ point guard, although his height would allow him to play next to a traditional floor general as well,” Swartz continued. “There’s not a single player the Nets can lean on as a franchise centerpiece yet, although that could change in this draft. The No. 6 overall pick means missing out on AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer and others, although the Nets are guaranteed to get a player like Keaton Wagler, Darius Acuff Jr. or Brayden Burries.”
Based on most mock drafts, when the Nets have their turn to pick at No. 6, they will be able to choose from multiple guards with different skillsets, most notably Illinois guard Keaton Wagler and Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. Brooklyn did select four guards in the 2025 NBA Draft, but it seems like Egor Demin is virtually guaranteed to be in the starting lineup while someone like Nolan Traore could be the favorite to be the starting point guard.
However, there are frontcourt players in Michigan’s Aday Mara and Tennessee’s Nate Ament that the Nets have been connected to so the team could look to add to the frontcourt as well. Brooklyn has until Jun. 23 when the first round of the draft comes around to make their decision on who will be part of the franchise moving forward, but general manager Sean Marks will have to decide between best player available and addressing roster needs.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Should the Nets consider positional need in the 2026 NBA Draft?
Reporting by Sharif Phillips-Keaton, Nets Wire / Nets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
