Nets turn to Mikel Brown Jr. at No. 6 to provide scoring, help ignite the franchise

The Brooklyn Nets selected an NBA-record five first-round draft picks last year but didn't have much to show for their investment, winning just 26 games in 2025-26.

They hope this year's No. 6 overall pick Mikel Brown Jr. can help change the trajectory of the franchise.

The Nets, who were the only team in the Atlantic Division to finish last season without a winning record, took a chance on the Louisville scoring guard in Tuesday night's draft in the hopes he can be the breakout player who'll ignite a struggling franchise.

Brown averaged 18.2 points and 4.1 assists last season for the Cardinals and was one of the best players in the Atlantic Coast Conference when able to play.

However, he struggled with back injuries and did not play in the ACC Tournament or NCAA Tournament, leading to questions about his durability.

He said he relied heavily on his family, teammates and the Louisville coaching staff to keep him sane during a tough period because he desperately wanted to be on the floor.

“I feel better than ever now,” Brown said.

Toronto Raptors

Needs: Outside shooting was a major sore spot for the Raptors this season after finishing fifth-worst in the NBA in made 3-pointers during the regular season and fifth-worst among postseason teams, losing at Cleveland in Game 7 of their first-round series.

Who they drafted: Santa Clara forward Allen Graves, the West Coast Conference Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year, at No. 19. Graves, who turns 20 next month, averaged 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 41.3% from 3-point range. He was one of two Division I freshmen to score at least 400 points while collecting at least 200 rebounds and 50 steals. The other was third-overall pick Cameron Boozer.

NBA comparison: Graves shares some characteristics with new teammate Collin Murray-Boyles, who had a strong rookie season after being selected ninth in the 2025 draft — both pile up rebounds and steals while boasting a soft touch around the rim. If Graves can shoot the 3 in the pros the way he did at Santa Clara, he could evolve into more of a Robert Covington-type for Toronto.

Philadelphia 76ers

Needs: Mike Gansey entered his first draft as new team president of basketball operations leading a team that needed a big, physical wing player or a center to play the minutes needed when Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond are out. The Sixers are a smaller team with All-Star Tyrese Maxey and last season’s No. 3 pick V.J. Edgecombe in the backcourt.

Who they drafted: Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. at No. 22 overall. The slender 6-3, 176-pound sophomore thrived as a scorer (22.0) and a playmaker (5.0) as a third-team AP All-American, making a leap in his shooting efficiency (50.1% overall, 39.9% on 3-pointers). He thrived as the ballhandler in pick-and-rolls (94th percentile in Synergy) and repeatedly beat man defenses in the halfcourt (90th).

NBA comparison: Dejounte Murray of the Pelicans.

Boston Celtics

Needs: With the Milwaukee Bucks choosing the trade package offered by the Miami Heat for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Celtics deal with a reality that includes 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown still with the franchise that drafted him exactly 10 years ago, at least for now. Frontcourt depth and ballhandling off the bench were among several notable needs for a team that lost Game 7 of its first-round playoff series against Philadelphia on its home floor.

Who they drafted: Boston selected Houston freshman Chris Cenac Jr. with the 27th pick. The 6-foot-10 forward was a force inside, making 55% of his two-point field-goal attempts for a Cougars team that reached the Sweet 16 of this year's NCAA Tournament. Cenac attempted 90 3-pointers and shot 33% from beyond the arc. At Houston, he was counted on more for his rebounding ability (7.9 this past season) than shot blocking (0.5 per game).

NBA comparison: The ESPN broadcast of the draft noted that Cenac features the same skill set as 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis and holds the potential to be successful as a four or five.

Brooklyn Nets

Needs: The Nets needed some scoring punch and a player to get excited about after the team made an NBA-record five first-round picks last year but didn’t come away with anyone who screams superstar.

Who they drafted: Along with Brown, the Nets will acquire the rights to No. 28 pick Joshua Jefferson from Minnesota as terms of a three-team trade in which they are getting Julius Randle from the Timberwolves. Brown gives the Nets a player who can light it up and has the talent that could potentially begin to turn the franchise around.

NBA comparison: Brown can compare to Darius Garland and Jefferson, who had two triple-doubles last season, to a versatile forward such as Lamar Odom.

New York Knicks

Needs: Low-cost players to round out the bench with the starting five of the NBA champions all under contract and owner James Dolan saying he didn’t want to go into the second apron.

Who they drafted: They acquired the draft rights to guard Sergio De Larrea of Spain, but then traded the pick away.

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AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney, AP Sports Writer Daniel Gelston and AP freelancers Brendan McGair and Ian Harrison contributed to this report.