Nets 2026 NBA Mock Draft roundup reveals new favorite at No. 6 pick

The NBA Draft is less than one day away, and the Brooklyn Nets’ decision at No. 6 is a source of speculation among league executives. After shocking many with their selection of Egor Demin at No. 8 last year, the Nets have been viewed as a wild-card team at the top of this year’s draft. Brooklyn could have several intriguing options at No. 6, including Darius Acuff Jr., Mikel Brown Jr., Keaton Wagler, Kingston Flemings, Brayden Burries, Aday Mara and Nate Ament, among others.

Here are the most popular mock draft selections for Brooklyn on the eve of the draft.

Mikel Brown Jr. (5): ESPN, The Athletic, Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports, The Ringer

Brown has emerged as the consensus favorite for the Nets at No. 6. Brooklyn has done plenty of background work on the Louisville guard, meeting with him at the combine, traveling to his home in Orlando, and then hosting him for a workout.

The 20-year-old said on Monday that his communication with the Nets’ brass, namely general manager Sean Marks and head coach Jordi Fernandez, has been “constant.”

“There’s definitely a relationship built there,” Brown told ClutchPoints. “Talking constantly to [Sean] Marks and Coach Jordi [Fernandez]. The biggest thing [Marks] emphasized if I get selected there is building that relationship with Jordi. You gotta have a great connection there. So to be able to pick his brain on a lot of things and learn his system and come in and make an impact right away was big… [The amount of communication] is definitely unique. [Them coming to Orlando] definitely made an impact. They got to talk to my mom and my dad. It was a great conversation.”

A back injury cost Brown most of his freshman season. When healthy, he showed why he could have the highest upside of any point guard in the class. The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 18.2 points and 4.7 assists on .410/.344/.844 shooting splits across 21 appearances, flashing dynamic shooting range, elite playmaking and explosive athleticism.

Brown is viewed as an option for the Los Angeles Clippers at No. 5. However, Keaton Wagler has emerged as the favorite for the Clippers in most mock drafts.

Wagler told ClutchPoints on Monday that he canceled a workout with the Nets after working out for the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers, an indication that he’s confident in his standing in the top five.

Darius Acuff Jr. (3): ClutchPoints, CBS Sports, No Ceilings

With Wagler projected to go No. 5 to the Clippers in every mock draft polled here, Acuff is the other top option for the Nets alongside Brown. After meeting with the Nets at the combine, the Arkansas guard told ClutchPoints that he had a solo workout in Brooklyn in recent weeks.

“It was a cool workout. It was good to see and meet everybody. It was a great time, for sure,” Acuff said on Monday.

Many within NBA circles view Acuff as the draft’s second-best guard behind Darryn Peterson. The 19-year-old is coming off one of the most efficient offensive seasons by a freshman ball handler in recent memory. He averaged 23.5 points on .484/.440/.809 shooting splits with 6.4 assists and 2.2 turnovers per game (2.97 ast/to) while leading the Razorbacks to an SEC championship and a Sweet 16 appearance.

However, Acuff’s defensive struggles at 6-foot-2 remain a red flag among some decision-makers. The Nets placed a premium on size and defensive versatility during last year’s draft.

“It’s where the NBA is going: guys who can play multiple positions, guard multiple positions, and make it hard on the defense,” general manager Sean Marks said of Brooklyn’s 2025 class.

It remains to be seen whether Acuff’s offensive prowess is enough to make Brooklyn deviate from that philosophy. The Sacramento Kings at No. 7 are considered the Arkansas guard’s floor if the Clippers and Nets pass on him.

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