This was a team that finished with the third-worst record in the NBA and one that has won just 78 of 246 games (.317) over its last three seasons.
The problem for the Brooklyn Nets is that the short-term future doesn’t look all that much better.
Since the team’s experiment with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden imploded, the Nets have struggled to find any semblance of competitiveness. The big move of the offseason was a trade that brought in three-time All-Star Julius Randle – taking on his contract – and shipped out center Nic Claxton. Will that be enough for Brooklyn to finally course correct?
Here's a breakdown of the Brooklyn Nets' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:
Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season
Brooklyn Nets offseason review
- Record last season: 20-62 (13th in Eastern Conference)
- Playoff finish: Did not qualify
- Coach: Jordi Fernández (third season)
- 2026-27 title odds: +100000 (per BetMGM)
- Projected record : 20-62
- Offseason grade : C+
Key roster additions
- F Julius Randle (trade)
- G Keon Ellis (free agent signing)
- F Moritz Wagner (free agent signing)
- G Mikel Brown Jr. (NBA draft)
- F Tyler Bilodeau (NBA draft)
Key roster losses
- C Nic Claxton (trade)
- F Ziaire Williams (free agency)
Biggest question entering training camp
Can their veterans lead this young team to relevance?
- With Michael Porter Jr., who played his first season in Brooklyn last year, and Julius Randle, acquired in a three-team trade with the Timberwolves and Bulls, the Nets now have a pair of veterans who are expected to carry the offense. But this is a team that has failed to make the postseason in the last three years and one that remains in a rebuild. At a certain point, at least some of the young players on this roster — Egor Dëmin, rookie Mikel Brown Jr., Ben Saraf, Noah Clowney and Danny Wolf chief among them — will need to take considerable leaps forward for the Nets to be relevant.
Projected starting lineup and rotation
Starters
- G Mikel Brown Jr.
- G Egor Dëmin
- F Michael Porter Jr.
- F Julius Randle
- C Day’Ron Sharpe
Rotation players
- G Ben Saraf
- G Keon Ellis
- F Noah Clowney
- C Danny Wolf
- F Moritz Wagner
- G Drake Powell
- G Nolan Traore
- G Terance Mann
- F Josh Minott
What to expect in 2026-27 season
Honestly, this looks like a roster that continues to be a season or two away from competing. Randle is a fine addition, but his best days are behind him. Porter took a step forward and showed his efficiency numbers could remain solidly respectable despite a far higher usage. But unless the Nets solve their shooting woes — Brooklyn tied for dead last in 3-point percentage (34%) last season — it’s hard to see the Nets being contenders for even the play-in picture. Brooklyn had amassed draft capital for its rebuild. The Nets still need a legitimate star (or two). Making matters worse, they saw the entire city of New York celebrate the Knicks, even outside of the Barclays Center, the home venue where the Nets play.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brooklyn Nets season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction
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