Brooklyn Eyes Freshman Guards at No. 6 After Lottery Slide
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After finishing the 2025/26 season with the NBA’s third-worst record, the Brooklyn Nets slipped in the draft lottery for the second straight year, moving from the projected No. 3 spot to No. 6. Unless the front office trades up for a consensus top-four prospect, team officials are expected to evaluate a cluster of five freshman guards projected to be available at No. 6.
The group includes Darius Acuff, Mikel Brown, Kingston Flemings, Brayden Burries and Keaton Wagler. According to C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News, Brown’s measurables and combine performance make him the “cleanest” all-around fit for Brooklyn. The 6′ ? guard recorded the best standing reach of the quintet at 84.5 inches and the longest wingspan at 67.5 inches, while showing strong results in athletic and shooting drills. Brooklyn’s basketball staff has historically prioritized size and positional versatility, qualities Brown could provide as a guard capable of playing on or off the ball.
Each candidate brings a distinct strength, Holmes noted. Acuff was college basketball’s most refined scorer; Flemings posted the most complete athletic profile at the combine; Burries, slightly bigger and stronger, contributed at both ends for Arizona; and Wagler, the tallest of the five, steered Illinois to the NCAA Final Four.
Combine Notes
Brian Lewis of the New York Post reported additional combine observations on Acuff, Brown, Flemings and Wagler. Acuff measured 6’2″ with a 6’7″ wingspan and ranked among the top shooters in drills, positioning himself as one of the event’s early winners. Asked about his NBA projection, the Arkansas guard declared, “Definitely a superstar point guard for sure … I just want to win.” The Sacramento Kings, selecting seventh, are believed to be interested; general manager Scott Perry once coached Acuff’s father, Darius Sr., at Eastern Kentucky. While Acuff’s offensive production has drawn praise, league evaluators continue to question his defense, Lewis added.
In a separate article, Lewis wrote that Brown may have the highest ceiling in the group but remains the least polished. Brown told reporters he views playmaking as his primary asset and acknowledged concerns about shot selection and defensive consistency. “It would be a great opportunity,” he said of potentially joining the Nets, adding that he has already spoken with the organization. Acuff likewise confirmed contact with Brooklyn’s front office.
The Nets own only one pick in the 2026 draft, making the No. 6 selection a critical piece of the club’s long-term roster construction.
Source: HoopsRumors
