The Brooklyn Nets didn’t land LeBron James, and their standing around the league barely budged anyway.
After James chose the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency, Brooklyn checked in at No. 28 in Bleacher Report’s NBA rankings, one spot better than before. For a team that went 20-62 in 2025-26, the slight climb says more about the rest of the offseason than it does about one star decision.
Andy Bailey pointed to the Nets’ draft and roster work as signs they’re trying to move out of the league’s basement. Brooklyn used the No. 6 pick on Mikel Brown, a selection that will bring plenty of attention to his development. But Bailey also noted that the bigger picture suggests a team aiming to be more competitive right away.
"Adding Julius Randle (who was essentially salary-dumped to them), Keon Ellis and Mo Wagner are all win-now moves. Re-signing Day'Ron Sharpe, who looks ready to start in place of the recently traded Nicolas Claxton, is too," Bailey continued. "If Michael Porter Jr. can stay healthy and some of the young incumbents (like Egor Demin) show some real improvement, the Nets could easily win 10 more games than they did last season."
That offseason overhaul has centered on Julius Randle, who arrived in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He gives Brooklyn another scorer alongside Michael Porter Jr., but even with that addition, the Nets are still viewed as a team with work left before they can be taken seriously as postseason contenders.
James would have brought a different kind of spotlight entirely, but Brooklyn missed out. Now the focus shifts to whether the moves they did make can push them into a better 2026-27 season.
In Other News...
Former Nets Guard Tyrese Martin Just Made A Surprising Career Move
Tyrese Martins path from a 2022 draft pick to a rotation guard with the Nets was already unusual, and now it has taken another turn. After starting his pro career with the Hawks, spending time in the G League and then carving out a role in Brooklyn before a stop in Philadelphia, Martin is headed into a different phase after a season in which he averaged 6.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists.
For Brooklyn, Martins best stretch came in 2024-25, when he gave the Nets steady minutes across 60 games and showed enough versatility to stick. His move overseas closes the book on a player who worked his way up the NBA ladder the hard way, and it also leaves open the question of whether this is a temporary detour or the start of a longer stay abroad. [Read more 🡒]
Nets Suddenly Face A Defining Michael Porter Jr. Decision
LeBron James ending up with the Philadelphia 76ers has already sent ripples through the league, and Brooklyn is feeling some of that pressure as it sorts through its own roster priorities. The Nets now have to weigh what comes next with Michael Porter Jr., who is extension eligible this offseason and sits squarely in the middle of their long-term planning as the market around them keeps shifting.
Porter is in his prime, which makes the timing tricky for Brooklyn because any deal is likely to come with a hefty price tag. The early stages of those talks are unfolding while other teams, including the Golden State Warriors, are looking for ways to adjust after missing out on James, and that kind of competition could make the Nets decision even more delicate as they decide whether to commit now or keep their options open. [Read more 🡒]