Brooklyn enters 2026-27 after a 20-win season and a lottery that sent it to No. 6, adding Julius Randle to a young core around Michael Porter and Egor Demin.

This Brooklyn Nets 2026-27 season preview breaks down every major storyline entering the year: the team's 2026 NBA Draft picks, its free agency departures and acquisitions, the Julius Randle trade and projected starting lineup, updated Vegas win total and odds, and Nets fantasy basketball analysis on the players who matter most heading into DFS and season-long drafts. The Nets lost what was essentially a coin flip in the draft lottery, fell to No. 6, and then made a veteran move by trading Nic Claxton to Chicago in a four-team deal for Randle. With 12 or more first-round picks and 19 second-rounders over the next seven years, Brooklyn still controls significant draft capital, but this year's roster is built to win more than 20 games.

Nets 2026-27 Season at a Glance

CategoryDetails
2025-26 Record20-62
2025-26 FinishThird-worst record in the NBA, missed playoffs
2026-27 Win Total24.5
Championship OddsLong shot (+2500 to make the playoffs)
2026 Draft PicksNo. 6, No. 28 (via trade)
Biggest AdditionJulius Randle (trade)
Key PlayerMichael Porter
Fantasy Player to WatchEgor Demin

Brooklyn's win total of 24.5 is only ahead of Sacramento's in the league, and sportsbooks list the Nets at +1400 to qualify for the play-in and +2500 to make the playoffs, though Porter says he believes the team can win 50 games.

 

 

 

2026 NBA Draft: Nets' Picks and Fits

The Nets entered the draft with a 52.1% chance at a top-four pick and fell to No. 6, then added a second first-rounder through the Randle trade.

PickPlayerPositionSchool2026-27 ImpactNotes
No. 6 (1st Rd)Mikel BrownPGLouisvilleRotation guardLottery guard selected after Brooklyn lost the draft-lottery coin flip; expected to compete for minutes behind Demin.
No. 28 (1st Rd, via trade)Joshua JeffersonFIowa StateDepthDraft rights acquired from Minnesota in the four-team trade that sent Nic Claxton to Chicago.

Both picks join a roster that already added five first-round rookies in 2025, so playing time for the young players will be competitive.

Key Free Agent Departures

Brooklyn's departures were the center position and several depth pieces:

Player2025-26 Role2026-27 StatusImpact
Nic ClaxtonStarting CTraded to Chicago BullsMajor
Ochai AgbajiReserve wingUnsignedMinimal
Tyson EtienneReserve guardUnsignedMinimal
E.J. LiddellReserve forwardUnsignedMinimal

Claxton was sent to Chicago in the Randle deal, along with the draft rights to Isaiah Evans, who went to Minnesota.

 

 

 

Key Free Agent Acquisitions and Re-Signings

PlayerTermsTypeFantasy/Roster Impact
Julius RandleVia trade (from Minnesota)Trade acquisitionThree-time All-Star who averaged 21.1 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 5.0 APG in 79 games; adds an on-ball creator and toughness.
Moritz Wagner2 yrsFree agent additionFrontcourt depth signed from Orlando on a two-year deal.
Keon Ellis2 yrsFree agent additionDefensive guard signed to a two-year deal.
Day'Ron Sharpe2 yrs, ~$20MRe-signedElite offensive rebounder retained as the center.

Major Roster Moves and Projected Starting Lineup

Brooklyn's summer was quiet by design. The Randle trade is the main addition, and both Randle and Porter have said they expect a much better record than last year's 20 wins. Critics note that the Nets do not control their first-round pick, so adding a 31-year-old is a questionable fit, and Porter has been neither traded nor extended. Demin projects as the starting point guard under head coach Jordi Fernandez.

Projected Starters

PositionPlayer
PGEgor Demin
SGTerance Mann
SFMichael Porter
PFJulius Randle
CDay'Ron Sharpe

Bench Rotation

The Nets have a deep group of young players, and the rotation behind the starters is likely to shift often as Fernandez sorts out minutes.

Nets Biggest Fantasy Questions

Can Michael Porter Stay Healthy and Earn All-Star Consideration?

Porter averaged 24.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.4 threes in 52 games before a hamstring strain ended his season, with a career-high usage rate of 29.9%. With Randle added, his shot count could dip, but he is the Nets' most reliable fantasy scorer.

Does Julius Randle Fit Next to Porter?

Randle's production declined in the second half of last season, and he shot 39% in the playoffs. Both he and Porter like to take shots, so one of them will likely give up usage, but Randle's rebounding and assists carry fantasy value.

Is Egor Demin Ready to Take a Step as a Second-Year Guard?

Demin battled injuries and averaged roughly 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in 52 games, but averaged 21.0 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.3 steals in Summer League. A guaranteed starting spot gives him room to grow.

 

 

 

Nets Fantasy Basketball 2026-27: Key Players to Know

Four Nets fantasy players carry meaningful weight into 2026-27 drafts, with usage sharing among Porter, Randle, and the young guards as the dominant storyline.

Michael Porter Fantasy Outlook

  • 2026-27 ADP: 61.0
  • Position: SF/PF
  • 2025-26 Stats: 24.2 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 3.0 APG, 3.4 3PM (52 games)
  • Fantasy Outlook: Elite shooter and scorer with a usage question
  • What to Watch: Health after a hamstring strain

Porter was Brooklyn's top scorer and shot 36.3% from three with 85.9% free-throw shooting. His ADP in the 60s prices in injury risk, but he has top-40 upside if he keeps this usage.

Julius Randle Fantasy Outlook

  • 2026-27 ADP: 67.0
  • Position: PF
  • 2025-26 Stats: 21.1 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 5.0 APG (79 games, with Timberwolves)
  • Fantasy Outlook: Durable points, rebounds, and assists
  • What to Watch: Shot volume next to Porter

Randle has averaged 22.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists over the last six seasons and rarely misses games. His threes are a weak spot, but his counting stats are a reliable floor.

Egor Demin Fantasy Outlook

  • 2026-27 ADP: 159.5
  • Position: PG/SG
  • 2025-26 Stats: Roughly 10 PPG, 3 RPG, 3 APG (52 games)
  • Fantasy Outlook: Upside guard at a late-round price
  • What to Watch: Health and role as the starting point guard

Demin is a 6-foot-9 playmaker with a smooth shot who showed clear improvement in Summer League. A full healthy season in a starting role is his path to a major jump.

Mikel Brown Fantasy Outlook

  • 2026-27 ADP: 192.0
  • Position: PG
  • 2025-26 Stats: N/A (rookie, No. 6 pick)
  • Fantasy Outlook: Deep-league rookie guard
  • What to Watch: Minutes behind Demin and in the second unit

Brown is one of the highest-drafted guards in the class and joins a rotation with several young players. He is a late-round stash until his role is clear.

Nets Fantasy Sleepers & Breakouts

Nets Fantasy Sleeper

Day'Ron Sharpe: Sharpe is one of the best offensive rebounders in the league and re-signed for two years at roughly $20 million. Sharpe said he’s gearing up for an expanded role this year, and he’s been an elite fantasy scorer in a limited role, and that should grow as his minutes do the same. Sharpe’s a real candidate to average a double-double if he sees mid-to-upper 20 minutes per game.

Nets Fantasy Breakout Candidate

Mikel Brown: Even if it’s Egor Demin starting the year as the team’s starting point guard, Mikel Brown is the better fantasy add. Brown, the sixth pick in this year’s draft, averaged 18.2 PPG, 4.7 APG, 3.3 RPG, and 1.2 SPG as a freshman at Louisville. Denim wasn’t good in any area as a rookie, and he struggled out of the gate; his starting job will be threatened and likely stolen by Mikel Brown

Data via NBA.com, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, Hoops Rumors, Spotrac, BetMGM, RotoWire, and Basketball Reference. Odds and win totals reflect lines as of early October 2026 and are subject to change.