The Nets currently hold the sixth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

While Brooklyn is said to be potentially exploring a trade up, they are well positioned to land another intriguing young piece for their rebuild even if they stay put.

Two of the top players experts have connected to them in mock drafts over the past couple of weeks are Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. and Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr.

Both youngster’s worked out with the team during the pre-draft process.

Brown’s workout was one of three meetings between to the two sides, as they also sat down at the Combine and flew out to Orlando to meet his family before hosting him in Brooklyn.

The 20-year-old feels he’d be a good fit if he ends up being the pick.

“I’ve definitely built a relationship there,” Brown said. “Talking with them constantly the biggest thing they emphasized if I do get selected was just building that relationship with [head coach Jordi Fernandez].

“You have to have a great connection from point guard to head coach, he played point guard as well, so to be able to pick his brain and learn the system and be able to make an impact right away was big.”

Brown is coming off a spectacular freshman season in which he produced 18.2 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds across 21 games for the Cardinals.

As for Acuff, he enjoyed his Nets visit, and think he'd be a fit no matter where he lands.

The dynamic scorer enjoyed a tremendous freshman campaign of his own that saw him finish with an SEC-leading 23.5 points and 6.4 assists while shooting 48 percent from the field.

The 19-year-old performed well enough to be named a Consensus All-American, All-SEC First Team, and took home both SEC Player and Rookie of the Year honors.

“I’m looking to do anything to win, whatever role I have to play,” Acuff said.

The first round of the NBA Draft gets underway Tuesday night at Barclays Center.

Popular in the Community