Brooklyn is projected to select Kansas City star Darrin Peterson in the ESPN 2026 NBA Draft
The The Brooklyn Nets are targeting draft lottery odds than a win this season. After falling to the No. 8 pick in June’s draft, the rebuilding team is hoping for better fortunes next summer. ESPN projected The Nets will take Kansas City star Derrin Peterson with the No. 1 pick in their final mock draft.
“The Nets are in dire need of a player to solidify their team moving forward,” wrote Jeremy Wu. “They took five first-round swings in the 2025 draft and are still figuring out how they all fit long-term. Peterson would address their lack of a star and then some.”
Peterson emerged as the consensus No. 1 pick at the beginning of the college season.
The Nets take Kansas City star Darrin Peterson in ESPN’s latest mock draft
The 6-foot-5 guard impressed during his first two starts with Kansas, averaging 21.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks on 15-of-25 shooting from the field, 6-of-12 from three and 7-of-9 from the free-throw line.
“Peterson’s dynamic three-pointer, impressive physical tools, defensive tenacity and competitive intangibles place him among the most complete and impressive freshman guards in recent memory,” Wu wrote. “It’s worth noting that NBA evaluators have been underwhelmed by the Jayhawks’ secondary so far, and Kansas looks to go as far as Peterson can take it. There’s room for debate over the No. 1 spot as the season unfolds, but Peterson would likely be the pick if the draft were held today.”
Peterson missed Kansas’ previous two games due to hamstring strain. He will sit out Tuesday’s game against Duke at Madison Square Garden.
That game will feature Cameron Boozer, ESPN’s projected No. 3 pick of the Utah Jazz. Meanwhile, BIU wing AJ Dibanst is projected to be the No. 2 pick by the Washington Wizards.
2025-11-18 23:27:00
