The Knicks are making a return to the NBA Finals for the first time in almost three decades, but the Nets are also gearing up for a significant June.
Currently, Brooklyn boasts the No. 6 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and has at least a few roster spots that could use some bolstering.
Following last year’s acquisition of five first-round picks from the Mikal Bridges trade, Nets general manager Sean Marks is set to start working again on June 23rd.
It’s a bit disappointing, honestly, especially given that the Nets had a 14 percent chance of landing the top pick before the lottery. But, hey, a lottery pick is still a lottery pick, right?
Even though the likelihood of landing prospects like AJ DiVanza, Cameron Boozer, or Darrin Peterson feels extremely low, the sixth pick still holds potential for snagging a top-tier player.
As for who might be picked, Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. is currently leading in projected selections, holding a 21 percent chance as the SEC Player of the Year.
Odds for No. 6 Selection in 2026 NBA Draft
| Player | Calci Probability |
|---|---|
| Darius Acuff Jr. | 21% |
| Kingston Flemings | 16% |
| Mikel Brown Jr. | 16% |
| Jaxel Lendeborg | 10% |
| Keaton Wagler | 9% |
| Nate Ament | 7% |
| Aday Mara | less than 1% |
| Brayden Barrys | less than 1% |
| Labalon Fillon Jr. | less than 1% |
If the goal for Brooklyn is to score and create plays, then Acuff Jr. seems to fit that mold as a versatile player ready to drive the offense from the start.
This Detroit native is the latest product from coach John Calipari’s impressive roster of five-star recruits, even drawing some comparisons to Damian Lillard. He led the SEC in scoring (23.5 points) and assists (6.4), helping Arkansas secure the conference tournament title along the way.
He even brushed off the “too small” label at the combine, coming in at 6 feet, 2 inches without shoes and impressively extending to a 6-foot, 7-inch wingspan.
Meanwhile, Houston’s Kingston Flemings and Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. both present a 16 percent chance of being selected at No. 6.
Should Acuff Jr. hopefully wrap things up earlier than anticipated, Flemings and Brown might just become the top choices for the Nets in the guard position.
Flemings is known for his athleticism and ability on both ends of the court. He made headlines by scoring a school record 42 points as a freshman against Texas Tech, which certainly elevated his draft stock.
Future Prospects
Brown Jr. has a draft narrative similar to Nets forward Michael Porter Jr., recently returning from a back injury that sidelined him for the final games of the season.
When healthy, he showed promising numbers with an average of 18.8 points and 4.7 assists—both leading figures for his team.
Whatever the Nets decide, they’re stepping into a locker room filled with youth, boasting the youngest roster in the league at an average age of 23.3 years.
