Nets Must Prepare for a Shift if 2026 Draft Lottery Dreams Falter
The Brooklyn Nets are firmly embracing a strategy of tanking for the upcoming season, yet they must ensure this plan doesn’t solely hinge on the unpredictable nature of the draft lottery.
The Current Landscape
As the 2022-2023 season unfolds, the Nets find themselves among the league’s lower echelon, but last year’s performance revealed some promising prospects that kept their lottery odds from being optimal. With the team’s recent offseason decisions, it appears they are positioning themselves for a more concentrated effort in the tanking strategy.
However, even if the Nets start the season with unexpected competitiveness, they need to pivot quickly and fully commit to their plan. The only tangible consequences for tanking at present are modest fines, a minor deterrent when weighed against the potential for improved lottery odds.
The Uncertainty of Lottery Odds
Despite the calculated risk of a full tank, there are no guarantees. Brooklyn may secure the best odds in the lottery, yet still find themselves falling short, potentially landing in fifth place. While the draft always holds a few hidden gems beyond the top picks, the Nets are in desperate need of a high-caliber selection. Anything outside of the top three could be seen as a gamble they can’t afford.
The stakes are particularly high for the Nets, as they will be without their 2027 draft pick—an unfortunate byproduct of the ill-fated James Harden trade in 2021. This means that Brooklyn’s tanking strategy needs to yield results by the end of next season; otherwise, they risk a barren stretch without a top pick until 2028.
The Need for a Backup Plan
Given this precarious situation, developing a backup plan is essential. While the Nets are all in on improving their lottery position, they must also consider the possibility that luck will not be on their side. If the team fails to land a top pick, shifting gears toward acquiring established stars might become the most viable option.
For instance, while pursuing a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo during this offseason would have been ill-advised, the summer of 2026 could present a more favorable opportunity for such a move. Brooklyn’s commitment to tanking can only last so long, and transitioning to a win-now mentality could be the necessary shift if their lottery aspirations crumble.
In the end, the Nets face a dual challenge: they must tank effectively to secure a top draft pick while simultaneously preparing for the possibility that their lottery dreams might not materialize. The balance between these two strategies will be pivotal as they navigate the uncertainties of the upcoming seasons.
