Even though the Nets only managed to secure 20 wins last season, the new rookies are stepping in with a fresh perspective and a winning attitude.
During the team’s rookie press conference and basketball clinic on Monday, Mikel Brown Jr., the No. 6 overall pick, shared his conversation with veteran Julius Randle. He mentioned the team’s ambition to “shock the world” by surpassing all expectations in the upcoming season.
“[Randle] said it best: we’re either going to shock the world with how competitive we are or establish a winning culture here,” Brown explained.
He emphasized the importance of daily improvement, stating, “You’re going to have to enhance your game every day, just one step at a time, one percent better. I believe that approach really matters.”
Despite missing the Knicks’ victory parade on June 13, Brown expressed admiration for the success of his crosstown rivals and said he’s motivated to bring a championship to Brooklyn. “Winning a world championship is my dream. [The Knicks] made history recently, and that’s the goal for us too. I mean, it’s definitely something we’re aiming for,” he added.
If the Nets want to make a splash next season, they’ll need to achieve significant progress, similar to how Randle led the Knicks to an unexpected playoff run in 2021.
Back then, the Knicks were coming off a rough 21-45 season, lacking in optimism. But under new head coach Tom Thibodeau, they turned things around with a 41-31 record, landing the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Much of that turnaround was thanks to Randle’s remarkable performance, where he averaged 24.1 points per game and was honored with a spot on the All-NBA Second Team.
Much like the young talent the Nets have now, Randle was supported by promising players like RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, and Immanuel Quickley during that time.
“It’s great that we all have the same goal of winning right away,” said rookie Joshua Jefferson. “We aren’t okay with losing or just playing below our expectations. Competing above our standards will be crucial.”
Tyler Bilodeau, picked at No. 43, echoed this sentiment, saying, “I think our desire to make waves is fantastic. We’ve got what it takes to achieve that.”
The Nets have been focusing on youth in the past couple of offseason after a tumultuous ending to the Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden era, during which they didn’t make it to the Conference Finals.
In 2025, they drafted multiple players including Egor Demmin, Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf, and Danny Wolf, accumulating five first-round picks while keeping all of them.
Now, with Brown and Jefferson joining the roster, that adds two more first-round picks for 2026.
However, General Manager Sean Marks is also working to keep the team competitive, highlighting the additions of seasoned players like Michael Porter Jr. and recently Randle.
For Marks, balancing young talent with experienced veterans is key. “It’s crucial to have the right kind of veterans around our young group, right?” he said. “We aim for these veterans to be professionals who understand our habits, helping the younger players learn the ropes.”
Marks also pointed out that being mentored by second-year players is vital for the rookies’ growth. “I think last year, the rookies logged around 6,400 minutes—an incredible opportunity for them,” he noted.
Ultimately, Marks believes that these rookies will gain valuable insights from witnessing the intensity and pace of real NBA gameplay.
