Nets 2026 NBA Draft grades for every pick

The Brooklyn Nets watched a celebration unfold in Lower Manhattan earlier in June. They responded to the rival New York Knicks’ championship parade in nailing the sixth overall pick on Tuesday. Now this NBA Draft class aims to re-galvanize this franchise and fanbase via Mikel Brown Jr. and company.

Did general manager Sean Marks and head coach Jordi Fernandez nail the rest of their selections, though? Marks emerged as one of the more busiest and aggressive GMs during draft week.

Brooklyn and Marks avoided trading away Michael Porter Jr., who’s long been the subject of trade rumors. Then lured in Julius Randle in blockbuster fashion before night one of the draft. Yet dumped key big Nic Claxton as part of the three-way deal with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves (Claxton landed with the former).

Marks sweetened the Nets’ week by delivering three picks bound to excite the fanbase inside the Barclays Center, starting with their lead rookie.

Mikel Brown Jr.

Guard, Louisville 

Round 1, Pick 6 

Brooklyn is guard heavy already, especially after adding Nolan Traore and Egor Demin via last season’s massive draft class.

Except the Louisville star Brown presents a true point guard feel. The Nets lacked a consistent facilitator who made wise decisions distributing the ball out. Brown changes that flaw and more.

He brings Fernandez another 3-point shooting option who can hit in tight windows. Nets fans will love how hot Brown can get scoring wise as he’s a streaky shooter. Durability rises as a concern here, though, as Brown dealt with the injury bug. He enters the league with a back injury, but presents a strong spark plug at point guard.

Grade: A 

Joshua Jefferson

Forward, Iowa State 

Round 1, Pick 28 

Jefferson becomes the seventh different first rounder in the last two draft classes for Brooklyn. But he comes in during a pivotal time.

The former Cyclones and Saint Mary’s Gaels star surfaces as Claxton’s immediate replacement. Plus boosts the frontcourt depth following the Randle trade and MPJ’s return.

Jefferson could even contend for shooting guard as he presents versatility as a scorer. Nets fans are going to fawn over his defensive game, though, as Jefferson is a walking steal machine and can clean up the glass.

Grade: A-

Tyler Bilodeau

Forward, UCLA 

Round 2, Pick 43 

Brooklyn looked bound to overload at one spot during the two-draft festivities. So forward becomes the crowded room following the Randle deal and the draft’s conclusion.

However, Bilodeau brings hefty intrigue at this spot. He excelled as a floor-spacing forward under Bruins head coach Mick Cronin. Fernandez gains a much-needed catch-and-shoot forward here.

Teams will test him defensively, though. Bilodeau struggled on switches especially against smaller guards. He’s heading to Brooklyn on a two-way contract, meaning he can fine tune his defense in the G-League. But he’s capable of providing a shooting spark off the bench especially if the spacing is there.

Grade: B- 

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