Brooklyn’s hopes for the 2026-27 season are tied to Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle, and ESPN’s latest player rankings reflect that. The two Nets forwards landed inside the top 60 on the network’s list of the top 100 players heading into the year, giving Brooklyn a pair of recognized scorers to anchor one of the league’s youngest rosters.
Porter came in at No. 60 after a strong first season in Brooklyn. Bobby Marks pointed to the impact of his change of scenery, writing, "A change in scenery helped Porter rise 10 spots in the rankings. Acquired last offseason from Denver, along with a 2032 unprotected first-rounder, Porter averaged a career-high 24.2 points and shot 36.3% on 3s, his fourth consecutive season shooting better than 36% from deep," Bobby Marks wrote on Porter for ESPN.
Marks also noted Porter’s durability and contract situation: "Before suffering a strained left hamstring late in the season, Porter had missed just 14 games since 2023-24. He is on an expiring $40.8 million contract and is eligible for four additional years and up to $234 million," Marks continued on Porter, who ranked No. 60 on the list.
Randle checked in at No. 54, even after another season that showed how productive he can be during the regular season. Marks wrote, "Randle fell 12 spots despite averaging more than 20 points for a fifth time in six seasons.
However, his regular-season production took a nosedive in the postseason," Marks wrote on Randle, who ranked No. 54 on ESPN's list. "Randle averaged five fewer points while shooting 39% from the field and 24.4% on 3-pointers.
Traded in the offseason from Minnesota to Brooklyn, expect Randle to improve the flow of the Nets' 30th-ranked offense."
Brooklyn brought Randle in from the Minnesota Timberwolves this offseason with the goal of helping on both ends of the floor. With Porter and Randle as the only Nets on ESPN’s list, head coach Jordi Fernandez will be leaning heavily on both players not just for production, but for leadership with the team’s younger talent.
The two forwards have already talked about how their partnership could develop over the season. If they both stay in Brooklyn through the full campaign, they’ll have a real shot to climb even higher in next year’s rankings.
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