The Brooklyn Nets finished last season with a dismal 20-62 record, and now ESPN’s NBA insiders just dropped a bomb, projecting them for an even worse 18-64 finish next season. That kind of record would make them the worst team in the entire league, which is a tough pill to swallow for any fanbase hoping for a turnaround. It feels like a punch to the gut after the offseason moves they made.
Randle Is Here, So What Gives With This Projection?
Brooklyn came into this 2026 NBA offseason determined to improve, and they certainly made a splash. Their biggest move was trading for Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle, a former All-NBA talent. Jamal Collier from ESPN even wrote that Randle was brought in “to help provide legitimacy to its rebuild.” You’d think bringing in a guy like that, especially to pair with sharpshooting forward Michael Porter Jr. for a “1-2 punch,” would make them significantly more competitive than last season. They absolutely should be. But despite adding Randle, ESPN’s prediction has them winning *fewer* games. You have to wonder what the insiders are seeing that has them so bearish on this squad. Are they underestimating what Randle brings to the table, or is there something else at play here?
The Pick, The Pundits, And The Relegation Zone Headache
Part of the storyline involves the new NBA Draft Lottery rules, complete with a “relegation zone.” As Collier noted, the five teams in that bottom category won’t have as much incentive to lose, and that’s going to be something to watch all season long. But the Nets have a unique situation that throws a huge wrench into their thinking: they owe their 2027 first-round pick to the Houston Rockets. If they aren’t trying to get that pick back, they might actually lean towards being as good as possible next season, especially since they’ll be getting the Rockets’ pick. It’s a complicated mess for their front office. What’s even wilder is that not everyone is on board with ESPN’s grim outlook. Other pundits, sportsbooks like BetMGM, and a good chunk of the Brooklyn fanbase actually believe the Nets will win more than 18 games.
This season is going to be fascinating for so many reasons. If Brooklyn really is as bad as ESPN predicts, the hope is that they aren’t getting blown out constantly and that Egor Demin and Mikel Brown Jr. continue to get better. With Randle and Porter Jr. leading the charge, the Nets have to prove the doubters wrong, starting with their first game. You can bet everyone will be watching to see if that 18-64 projection holds up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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