In a recent NetsDaily poll, 56% of voters predicted the Brooklyn Nets would win 30-39 games in 2026-27. That wouldn’t cut it in 2025-26, but the range would’ve been more than enough to compete for a play-in spot in 2023-24 and 2024-25. Both seasons had two teams in the East qualify for the play-in within the 30-39 win range.
Heading into the 2026-27 season, there’s only so much you can expect from the Nets after a rebuilding 2025-26 season. They finished with 20 wins and haven’t made the postseason
since 2022-23. The priority is development and patience, which they’ve made very clear. And the best way to develop is by winning.
Expectations have been tempered, although the Nets themselves might not share the same outlook as the pundits making their cases or the oddsmakers who pegged them at 24.5 wins this season.
The Eastern Conference has gotten better, too. LeBron James is now in the East, Kawhi Leonard is reportedly headed to the Toronto Raptors, and the Washington Wizards will debut Trae Young, Anthony Davis and 2026 No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa.
Then there are the offseason moves and the possibility that they propel the Nets beyond expectations.
The acquisition of three-time All-Star Julius Randle should certainly help, alongside Michael Porter Jr. — who had a career season in his first year with the Nets. They added other veterans like Moe Wagner and Keon Ellis, moved on from Nicolas Claxton and re-signed Day’ron Sharpe, and drafted Mikel Brown Jr. (No. 6) and Joshua Jefferson (No. 28) this past summer.
It wouldn’t appear to be nearly enough in a stacked Eastern Conference, but again, it takes an optimistic fan. Everyone can agree on one thing: Losing does them no good and winning only speeds up a healthy culture within a team.
We asked the NetsDaily community: Will the Nets be in the playoff race at all in 2026-27?
What are the fans saying?
Can Jordi Fernandez push the Nets into the mix?
FreddieJ: “Now is the time for the coach to shine. Defensive coherency and 28-30 wins. Whether that puts them into the play in mix I don’t know.”
Sufferingnetsfan: “If we make the play-in Jordi will deserve COY”
It’s very unlikely…
In Your Face Disgrace: “I only see Milwaukee as “probably worse” than the Nets, with CHI, WAS, and CHA in the same tier as the Nets. So, between the 11th and 14th seed. If that’s right, anything above 30 wins is unlikely.”
steelnets: “Some crazy things would have to go right for the Nets and wrong for the rest of the East for Nets to be in the mix for the postseason”
The consensus? A postseason berth is far from the expectation, but Nets fans haven’t completely ruled out a surprise.
Thanks to everybody who voted and/or participated. This is a sponsored post. Check out the latest lines, futures, and player props by visiting FanDuel.
