2026-27 Nets preview: Can they take a step forward?

A new NBA season is around the corner for the Brooklyn Nets, which brings a fresh new opportunity. Their inner-city rival, the New York Knicks, won the NBA title for the first time in 53 years this past season. Brooklyn looks to spark some magic of their own.  The Nets finished their 2025-2026 campaign with a 20-62 record, good for 13th in the Eastern Conference. It was their third straight season where they finished with a negative record and missed the postseason.  Brooklyn’s offseason moves started all in the draft, selecting Mikel Brown Jr. from Louisville with the No. 6 pick. Brown showed great signs in Summer League and the one game he played during the preseason. He finished with 15 points, three rebounds, and three assists in 18 minutes of action. Brooklyn also took Joshua Jefferson with the 28th pick and Tyler Bilodeau in the second round with the 43rd pick. Jefferson averaged 7.3 ppg and two steals in three Summer League games. Bilodeau showed promise with his ability to st