Rumored · as of 2026-06-22

Targets

Who Brooklyn is linked to in the draft, on the trade market, and in free agency — with rankings, estimated deals, and a source on every name.

No. 6 pick · June 23

Draft Targets

Mikel Brown Jr.

G · Louisville

Consensus lottery (~No. 6)

Completed a second private workout with Brooklyn; USA Today's mock sends him to the Nets at 6. Led the nation in defensive box plus-minus.

Source: Nets Wire · NBA.com consensus mock

Darius Acuff Jr.

G · Arkansas

Consensus No. 6–7

Among the Nets' most-mocked picks. Averaged 23.5 ppg and 6.4 apg on .484/.440/.809 splits running Calipari's offense.

Source: Sports Illustrated · NBA.com

Nate Ament

F · Tennessee

Consensus No. 10

NetsDaily sources call Brooklyn 'likely' to take him. Rare size, fluidity and perimeter skill; polarizing after inconsistent production.

Source: NetsDaily

Karim Lopez

F · NZ Breakers

Late lottery / 20s

Among the prospects Brooklyn brought in for a workout at its HSS Training Center.

Source: BVM Sports / NetsDaily

Picks + cap to deal

Trade Targets

Giannis Antetokounmpo

F · Milwaukee

Top-100 #2

Long-rumored dream target. Brooklyn's unprotected pick haul + cap is the kind of package a Giannis deal would require.

Source: Sports Illustrated · CBS Sports

Jalen Suggs

G · Orlando

Top-100 #64

Fills the starting point-guard void and adds elite on-ball defense; injury history (268 games in five years) is the risk.

Source: Sports Illustrated

Jabari Smith Jr.

F · Houston

Young two-way forward signed through 2031 — fits Brooklyn's timeline; career-high scoring and assists last season.

Source: Sports Illustrated

Cason Wallace

G · Oklahoma City

Extension-eligible 3-and-D guard the cap-strapped Thunder may not be able to max — a value Brooklyn could pursue.

Source: Sports Illustrated

Tyler Herro

G · Miami

Reported Brooklyn interest in the shot-making guard among its offseason targets.

Source: Heavy

Coby White

G · Chicago

Long-standing Nets interest dating back to his Bulls tenure.

Source: Sports Illustrated

~$33–41M in room · opens June 30

Free-Agent Targets

Austin Reaves

G · LA Lakers (UFA)

Top-100 #59

Est. 4 yr / ~$179.5M (max)

Multiple league sources expect Brooklyn to offer a max; others expect a more conservative, shorter deal.

Source: ClutchPoints · NetsDaily

Rui Hachimura

F · LA Lakers

Est. ~$15–25M / yr

Seeking a raise; if he reaches free agency, Brooklyn is expected to put in a bid.

Source: Sports Illustrated

Walker Kessler

C · Utah (RFA)

RFA — offer sheet (~$20M+/yr)

With Utah and Kessler at an impasse, Brooklyn could pursue the young rim-protector via an offer sheet.

Source: Sports Illustrated

Peyton Watson

F · Denver (RFA)

RFA — offer sheet candidate

Named among the restricted free agents Sean Marks could float offer sheets to.

Source: Sports Illustrated

Rumored targets compiled from public reporting as of June 22, 2026 — BEFORE the June 23 draft and the June 30 free-agency opening. Speculative and fast-moving; every entry links its source. Draft ranks are 2026 consensus mock/big-board positions; player ranks reference a 2025-26 NBA top-100 (ClutchPoints) and show '—' when a target isn't on it. Contract figures are estimates from reporting and the Spotrac free-agent market.