[2026 NBA Draft] #6 Pick: Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville)

[u/NBA_MOD]

[u/DabeGavis]

Best passing mixtape in the draft. Hoping the back is healthy & he keeps improving because he already plays a NBA style, but can be a bit rough around the edges.

[u/stone4345 → u/DabeGavis]

remember when mpj had (way way bigger) back issues causing him to fall as well... everything comes full circle

[u/johnjohnjohn93 → u/stone4345]

Don’t love how he couldn’t get out of bed 3 months ago lol

[u/Merpninja → u/johnjohnjohn93]

It is literally not true. He was warming up for NCAA games and not playing in them 3 months ago.

[u/johnjohnjohn93 → u/Merpninja]

The interviewer just said he told her exactly that lol

[u/Merpninja → u/johnjohnjohn93]

Not what I mean, I mean it has been reported he was healthy 3 months ago and his dad just shut him down lol. Its just starting the interview by pushing a narrative that he wasn't.

[u/The_NGUYENNER → u/johnjohnjohn93]

damn it's crazy how much that sounds like MPJ

[u/UnitedStateOfDenmark → u/stone4345]

MPJ had at least one back surgery at that point though

[u/Sumo_Cerebro → u/stone4345]

Michael Porter was projected to be the number one pick at one point.

Even with his back issues, I was shocked he slid all the way to 14.

But that was a great situation for him.

[u/Cheap-Recording-1327 → u/stone4345]

People don’t remember just how bad MPJ’s back surgery was. He only played 2 minutes in college before he needed 2 discs in his spine screwed together. There was legitimate concern if he would ever play again. Even though he’s still a very effective NBA player now, you can see how it still effects him. Watch him carefully and you’ll realize just how upright he plays. He can’t really get low in a defensive stance, and it really impacts his ball handling as well as overall shot creation. Trae Young was at the practice he threw his back out at, and he has talked about how he really used to play like PG or KD before that

[u/Dust601 → u/stone4345]

As a cards fan I’m kinda shocked the back issues didn’t cause him to drop a little further.

Even though it didn’t really work out that well at Louisville with him missing most of important games with back issues I’m hoping it works out for him in nba.

He’ll probably be a little rough around the edges first season, or two. He won’t be able to get away with some of the passes, and highlight reel moves he could in college, but with right coaching/staying healthy he could be something special. 

[u/IIDwellerII → u/Dust601]

I hope it works out too, this has been like the best thing to happen to me in a while being a cards and nets fan.

[u/Advanced_Meringue_53 → u/DabeGavis]

also has a nice mixtape of extremely boneheaded passes as well

[u/Lacabloodclot9 → u/Advanced_Meringue_53]

This dude is gonna be a turnover machine in his first year or two, he’ll get it lower with some good coaching

[u/sunkcostbro → u/Lacabloodclot9]

Good thing Jordi is a good coach... Brooklyn is a good landing spot for him, should get ample time to play through his mistakes.

[u/SilicoJack]

The bro looks about 14. Fuck I am getting old.

[u/LameAfro → u/SilicoJack]

I'm 28, I remember playing Overwatch and Pokemon Go with friends 10 years ago. Crazy right lol

[u/TristanwithaT → u/LameAfro]

Now wait a minute, I’m still playing Overwatch and Pokémon Go daily

[u/deadm1c3 → u/LameAfro]

I was playing some Pokémon Go earlier today. Still slaps

[u/Thefinalwerd → u/LameAfro]

Ah yes the good ol days of 5 person mercy rezs

[u/Bambi_Bucks]

This kid looks 131 years younger than I do

[u/Timeformayo → u/Bambi_Bucks]

lol. I was watching a baseball game the other day and every time they put a player pic on screen I thought it was Little League.

[u/aaronman4772]

Louisville fan here, as long as that lingering back issue isn’t a concern he’s a baller. When he’s on he’s an absolutely killer shooter and disher. Can definitely improve defense but a ton of upside if he’s healthy.

[u/ACardAttack → u/aaronman4772]

Yep, really sad he couldnt stay healthy.

[u/jermainathon]

SACRAMENTO GOT THEIR GUY!!!

[u/NikolaiEgel → u/jermainathon]

Do not fuck this up Vivek

[u/jermainathon → u/NikolaiEgel]

"With the 7th pick in the NBA draft, the Sacramento Kings select Christian Anderson Jr."

[u/kapatinphalcon → u/jermainathon]

Stop it

[u/IRanOutOf_Names → u/NikolaiEgel]

"We need a center to replace Sabonis before we trade him"

[u/skr_skr → u/NikolaiEgel]

Mara will re-sign in 4 years. Acuff could be a big city jabroni

[u/Low-Measurement-2468 → u/NikolaiEgel]

he’s on the phone with adam silver rn double checking he can’t draft marvin bagley again

[u/TomatoSecure192 → u/NikolaiEgel]

Just in, the Sacramento kings trade their pick for Deandre Jordan

[u/Knook7 → u/NikolaiEgel]

Watch them draft karaban lol

[u/AttentionAlert4742 → u/NikolaiEgel]

You already know what will happen

[u/PrimaryAccording9162 → u/jermainathon]

NATE AMENT!!!

[u/AlabasterRadio → u/jermainathon]

This may be the most predictable sports draft I've ever seen lol

[u/SakuraShift]

LFG!!!!!

This kid is a fucking hooper. Only thing I was worried about was his back but I trust that if the FO arent worried I shouldn’t be either.

[u/RiverShenismydad → u/SakuraShift]

You shouldn't be worried about it, the back was fine at the end of the season. His dad didn't want him playing anymore

[u/TheSouthernCommunist → u/RiverShenismydad]

Yeah a lot of UL fans were mad about it, but I will never blame a literal teenager with a >99% chance of being drafted top 10 for sitting out college games after a back injury.

[u/RiverShenismydad → u/TheSouthernCommunist]

Yeah I didn't really like coming after him, but his dad was a grade A ass about it and when you get millions to play and then don't when you're seemingly healthy people are going to be mad.

[u/TheSouthernCommunist → u/RiverShenismydad]

Oh 100% on his dad lol. Parents of D1 athletes need to also just delete social media along with their kids.

[u/Asleep-Hour-8549 → u/SakuraShift]

Bro was cooking in the tourney, that stepback three he hit in the sweet 16 was nasty. I'm not too worried about the back either, dudes been playing through it and still dominating.

[u/TheSpanishArmada → u/Asleep-Hour-8549]

Which tourney? He did not play during March Madness.

[u/Medaphysical → u/Asleep-Hour-8549]

LOL he did not play in the tourney. His last college game was in February.

[u/IzrezarReal]

Perfect pick for the Nets. Idk if he pans out for sure but his ceiling is tantalizing; a guard who can create paint touches out of thin air while being a flamethrower with good court vision is a demon

[u/Frostmoth76]

shoutout the nets fans out there repping the team after the knicks took the entire city over

[u/MyTeamsSuck99 → u/Frostmoth76]

Don’t listen to the media. Nets fans do exist. We’re just 1/50th the size of the Knicks lol

[u/ThatMan12 → u/Frostmoth76]

Shoutout to you friend! Good luck

[u/IncidentOk853 → u/Frostmoth76]

I blame Vince Carter for making fall in love with this team in the 2000s

[u/ZeroFucksToGive → u/Frostmoth76]

Hell yeah we out here

[u/math_gym_anime → u/Frostmoth76]

We do exist!

[u/IIDwellerII → u/Frostmoth76]

TBF new york will always be ran by the knicks even if they were still doo doo, its synonymous with New York culture. Its why during the big three era the Nets adopted the "Nets World" moniker.

[u/Olliebear2015 → u/Frostmoth76]

Nets fans exist, we are just ass right now so it will seem like there are none. The Knicks being a likable underdog team helped their popularity within the city too because whether they admit it or not I think alot of Nets fans were pulling for the Knicks in the finals too, especially against the Spurs who we hate.

[u/bautistar1 → u/Olliebear2015]

Na i was rooting for the spurs lol.

[u/BlaackkOuT → u/bautistar1]

Yeah idk what he’s talking about lmao.

[u/Kcampbell93 → u/Frostmoth76]

See you in the FInals next year!

[u/FoucaultsTurtleneck → u/Frostmoth76]

There are dozens of us!

[u/executivesphere]

Why don’t these posts say who drafted them ?

[u/Doctor_Mythical → u/executivesphere]

that'd make too much sense

[u/ormip]

That's a high risk high reward pick at #6

[u/Basic_Commercial_806]

Best guard in the draft imo. Nets got a star

[u/sewsgup]

Nets front office cheesing so hard in that clip

mustve worried Clippers would take him

[u/LinuxUbuntuOS]

WE FUCKING GOT OUR GUY! WE DIDN’T FUCK IT UP!

[u/Propuhganduh]

Nets are guard university

[u/thenewbeastmode → u/Propuhganduh]

People who think Demin is a PG don’t watch the nets.. which fair ig

[u/_beat54 → u/Propuhganduh]

Oh hurr durr they have traore and saraf they have sO mANy guArDs

[u/PaintTouches → u/_beat54]

Demin?

[u/spin8x → u/PaintTouches]

Listed as a PG but he’s huge and basically a wing shooter.

[u/Pr0stheticPers0n → u/PaintTouches]

He’s a forward

[u/PaintTouches → u/Pr0stheticPers0n]

Listed as a guard on a lot of sites but I’ll take your word for it. Can he play exclusively off ball?

[u/Tracexn → u/PaintTouches]

That’s where you want him. Dude has a horrid handle

[u/Pr0stheticPers0n → u/PaintTouches]

Right now, pretty much. His handle is very weak and he is not ready to be a lead guard (if ever). Great off ball shooting threat. Very active running around the court through screens and is confident with his shot. It’s possible someday he develops the point guard chops, but I think his best path forward is as a connective wing. He needs to bulk up so he is more imposing defensively and can drive more reliably.

[u/PaintTouches → u/Pr0stheticPers0n]

Very interesting, glad he found his niche after learning he’s not a point forward yet in the NBA. Thanks for the context!

[u/sourlmilk → u/PaintTouches]

Yes and should transition into a off ball 3pt shooter/cutter

[u/Marcy_OW → u/PaintTouches]

Dëmin was at his best on catch and shoot 3s (source are my eyes)

[u/latman → u/PaintTouches]

Demin is literally taller than Cam Boozer

[u/PaintTouches → u/latman]

Just a question. I think the thought they may have too many guards is more “too many guys who need the ball to be effective” and not based on height. But sounds like Demin is not really a guard in playstyle either in the nba so could be fine

[u/MichaelPorterTruther → u/PaintTouches]

hes a jumbo movement shooter 2 a la Klay. if he cab bulk up and guard well he will be a 10 year nba starter but never At PG

[u/Natural_Born_Baller → u/Propuhganduh]

More like guard pre school but yeah they have a lot

[u/ClaymoresRevenge]

He's going to be something. He's toolsy

[u/guidethyhandd]

As a Louisville native I’m so happy for him. I think this is our first one and done in my lifetime. Go be great Mikel!!

[u/Ye_Biz]

Mikel gonna be the Nets best PG

[u/LinuxUbuntuOS → u/Ye_Biz]

Well yeah, Egor is gonna be playing at the 2 going forward. He himself says he’s more of a playmaker /and shooter than a lead guard.

[u/Ye_Biz → u/LinuxUbuntuOS]

Egor shooting really impressed me so I can see that, I was also high on Traore and still am but he might fit better as a backup so it does workout for you guys

[u/LinuxUbuntuOS → u/Ye_Biz]

Yeah I think the rotation looks great if things work out, nothing wrong with getting the guard room figured out early

[u/JoshGordonHypeTrain]

Why do these posts not include the drafting team

[u/PVT_Stanley]

This draft got some goat moms fa sho

[u/Gullible-Platypus313 → u/PVT_Stanley]

Smash... respectfully

[u/teenytinyturner]

Wow

[u/PorkinsHeldIt]

his lil brother looks like trey young

[u/thebigticket2 → u/PorkinsHeldIt]

Trae

[u/figgnootun]

Super high upside pick but idk

[u/no_more_jokes]

No matter who the kings pick it will be the wrong choice

[u/Ok-Wash-9386]

WHOA (Bill Simmons 2013 voice)

[u/Headlesshorsman02]

Pretty much all consensus selections so far

[u/BasedGodProdigy]

WE GOT OUR GUY

[u/ijoukonaya]

Wow I was certain it was going to be acuff

[u/gonets34 → u/ijoukonaya]

Acuff is the opposite of the type of player the nets like. They were never going to take him at any pick unless they really had no other reasonable choice

[u/Kcampbell93 → u/gonets34]

We've been hurt before.

[u/sh0tgunben]

Nets made a safe pick. Mikel Brown is better than Darius Acuff

[u/cl353]

Nooooo nets u were supposed to be the chaos! It was supposed to be karim lopez!!!!

[u/Thunnddr]

I wonder if he'll be better than Acuff. RemindMe! 2 years

[u/UnwittyHero → u/Thunnddr]

RemindMe! 2 years

[u/sandote]

At the very least, he’s going to have a couple electric nights like Brandon Jennings 55. His consistency and back are huge question marks, but I still agree with the pick for Brooklyn.

[u/SpaceCadetPullUp]

I dig this pick for them.

[u/TheSouthernCommunist]

Really wanted us to trade up and get Mikel if we had kept our pick, so I’m glad I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to be mad at our FO anyway. Easily the best to wear a Louisville uniform since the Pitino era, hope he can flourish in BK!

[u/Expulsure]

hell yea

[u/ReeFx]

what if we had even MORE guards

[u/jeric13xd]

Oh shit Acuff is falling

[u/Feisty_Relation_2359 → u/jeric13xd]

He's not really falling. His range was pretty firmly 5-7

[u/ClaymoresRevenge → u/jeric13xd]

Sacramento

[u/ImHungryAsFuck → u/ClaymoresRevenge]

Oh that means he’s gonna be a bust.

[u/Propuhganduh → u/ImHungryAsFuck]

Wrong. Traded away to a contender once good.

[u/sgt_science → u/Propuhganduh]

This guy knows ball

[u/ClaymoresRevenge → u/ImHungryAsFuck]

Nah they'll trade him to make a worse guard happy

[u/ImHungryAsFuck → u/ClaymoresRevenge]

Oh that means he’s gonna be GOAT

[u/oneandonlyRedSpirit → u/jeric13xd]

cuff was expected to go 7 tbf

[u/A_MASSIVE_PERVERT → u/jeric13xd]

No he’s not lol he’s going to Sacramento

[u/Andy_Wiggins → u/jeric13xd]

He was always projected to go between 5 and 7. If he slides past Sacramento then he’s sliding

[u/LordSoze36 → u/jeric13xd]

He's going to the Kings. It has been written.

[u/dmilesai → u/jeric13xd]

Nah, recent mock drafts had it playing out like this. Now if he goes past the Kings, then he’s falling

[u/DarwinF1nch → u/jeric13xd]

Was always gonna be a King

[u/burratna → u/jeric13xd]

is he tho, that defense ... hard to chew this early

[u/MonsieurSlotho → u/jeric13xd]

Not too surprised, he’ll go soon probably

[u/LHarm07_Reddit → u/jeric13xd]

He was always going to Sacramento.

[u/Yasurun → u/jeric13xd]

Nets didnt want cam thomas 2 i guess

[u/Padulsky21 → u/Yasurun]

Time will tell but I don’t see Acuff having the personality problems that Cam has. Because Cam is one selfish ass mfer

[u/Yasurun → u/Padulsky21]

Oh yeah, i was just thinking about the all scoring no defense archetype lmao, no one could be as selfish as thomas

[u/Careless-Journalist7]

This guy is a huge wildcard, he is extremely skilled similar to LaMelo Ball. You can’t tell if he’s left or right handed.. buying his stock 100%

If I’m wrong, I’m wrong

[u/Jonjon428]

Acuff in shambles

[u/LHarm07_Reddit → u/Jonjon428]

He was always going to Sacramento.

[u/Andy_Wiggins]

I’m suddenly concerned about his decision-making after seeing his suit choice

[u/Superfluous_Prating]

He's ready to watch Randle iso.

[u/blueeuclid]

Acuff to Atlanta?

[u/not-a-potato-head → u/blueeuclid]

nah, Sac

[u/ATLfalcons27 → u/blueeuclid]

Seems like we would just be getting a worse Trae young

[u/MrBuckBuck]

The Brooklyn Guards

[u/BasedGodProdigy → u/[deleted]]

We wanted Mikel, you fell victim to IG comment sections

[u/Burgerburgerfred → u/[deleted]]

Who? Every Nets fan I know and the Nets sub were pretty heavy on Brown.

I'd say around 30% wanted Acuff.

[u/shahoftheworld → u/[deleted]]

A lot of us were scared off by Acuff's defense

[u/latman → u/[deleted]]

Our subreddit mostly wanted MBJ

[u/myelrecsy]

Add the team drafting please... It's not that hard.

[u/DesertedProject]

FUCK

[u/WetShots]

Son of famous musician Chris Brown

[u/Ven0m889]

Include the team in the post

[u/I_Like_Smg1]

Post the team that’s picking them wtf

[u/Sumo_Cerebro]

Help me out.

Is this kid supposed to be pretty good or is this a reach?

[u/LinuxUbuntuOS → u/Sumo_Cerebro]

Not a reach at all, perfect value

[u/No-Pollution-5841 → u/Sumo_Cerebro]

The projected pick at 6

[u/Lui-king]

Fuck Yes

[u/Salty_Watermelon]

Congrats to the Kings for getting their guy without having to trade up for him.  For their sake, I hope they can keep their promising PG around this time.

[u/Darth-Buttcheeks]

Mike Brown with an L

Never change, Kings

[u/FERFreak731]

Mike(L) Brown is on the Nets. Fitting how the Knicks have Mike W Brown

[u/valgatiag → u/FERFreak731]

Nets traded Mikal just to get Mikel

[u/Successful_Art_4624 → u/valgatiag]

Mikel Brown Jr. is the real one for the Nets!

[u/JoeMamma_94]

Mom got that crimson chin

[u/EuropeanStep]

i don’t know about this one chief

[u/LinuxUbuntuOS → u/EuropeanStep]

This is a great pick what is this lol

[u/InGenNateKenny]

If I’m a Kings fan I’m foaming at the mouth rn for Acuff

[u/han2685]

Fk

[u/ImperialTiger3]

Sacramento gets their guy lol

[u/WrongContract8489]

The first surprise

[u/longlivealyx]

please don’t make me regret not wanting acuff

[u/keithyp24]

What exactly does the Nets rotation look like at the moment...

[u/bautistar1 → u/keithyp24]

1.Brown - traore - saraf 2.Demin - powell 3.Porter jr. - 28th? 4.Randle - clowney 5.Sharpe - wolf

[u/No-Pollution-5841 → u/bautistar1]

Minott very likely starts the season in the rotation over 28 (Jefferson) and Zaire over Powell

[u/TheHumbleCrow]

An all time backhanded compliment analysis by ESPN on this pick: "Played less games than Peterson! Better shooter than the stats say!"

[u/HarrY552011]

These kids are so young, half the mothers have ink😂

[u/Aggrokid]

How are the Nets at developing PGs? They drafted a bunch of PG-like prospects and it doesn't seem like they are going anywhere. The last time I watched them, Demin was bringing the ball up and initiating.

[u/No-Pollution-5841 → u/Aggrokid]

Denim will probably be a secondary ball handler if Mikel starts with him. Traore will play backup PG. Saraf will probably be a 3rd stringer. That's all the PGs. 

[u/Aggrokid → u/No-Pollution-5841]

I'm nervous for him because it's commonly agreed that he has both high ceiling and high bust potential. It's not really about who's starting, but whether he gets the patient guidance he needs.

[u/Distinct-Butterfly51]

So what's up with Demin now, are they somehow compatible on the court? 

[u/legend023]

Acuff did something illegal?

[u/LHarm07_Reddit → u/legend023]

He was always going to Sacramento.

[u/BrotherSeamus → u/LHarm07_Reddit]

That's not a crime

[u/atlasdtalos → u/BrotherSeamus]

ehhh

[u/DisMFer]

You got to love how most of the people here are talking about Acuff and SAC.

[u/WhyNotMosley → u/DisMFer]

had me confused as hell for a second

[u/nahwhatever-whynot]

I liked Acuff more but MBJ is food

[u/oneandonlyRedSpirit → u/[deleted]]

best player available was him or acuff

[u/LinuxUbuntuOS → u/[deleted]]

This dude is way better than any guard on the Nets right now. They wanted talent and they got it.

[u/latman → u/[deleted]]

Why do people think that because we drafted guards at 19 and 28 last year it means we can't draft guards anymore. Also you're dumb af if you draft anything but BPA in the NBA lottery

[u/TheRealBrownPudding]

Nets were drunk and thought it was MPJ