The Brooklyn Nets face one of the league's worst teams. But what should fans really expect down in New Orleans?
The Brooklyn Nets can attempt to take advantage of a potentially exhausted New Orleans Pelicans team on Wednesday.
Brooklyn's road contest against the Pelicans is the second of a back-to-back for the hosts. N.O needed to shift focus to the Nets in 24 hours after taking on the Denver Nuggets Tuesday.
This game doesn't draw intrigue for the early NBA Playoff picture. But comes with other elements that help comprise the three things to look forward to here.
1 -- This is a Lottery game
Another words, one of these teams will be positioned for the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
New Orleans sits with an even worse record compared to the Nets and have already surpassed the 30-loss mark.
One of these teams boosts their chances at landing the top pick with a loss. Expect names like AJ Dybansta and Cameron Boozer being mentioned in conversations over the YES Network broadcast for a period in the night.
2 -- This is also a potential trade game
Both teams have sprouted conversations about trades.
Brooklyn continues to hear rumblings about Michael Porter Jr. getting shipped away -- despite adding him in July 2025 from the Denver Nuggets. Meanwhile, the Pelicans have resisted the idea of sending out Zion Williamson or even Trey Murphy III in the trade market.
But the more New Orleans loses, the increased chances of this roster imploding. Or N.O. can even get bold by working a deal to land MPJ. Although Nets general manager Sean Marks likely wants Williamson in return if it happens.
Williams in a New York city can certainly boost intrigue in the big city.
3 -- One Nets rookie gets an NBA champ to test him
Egor Demin has risen as a valuable extra shooter for the Nets.
But now he gets to share the court with a past NBA champion. Jordan Poole won a title with the Golden State Warriors and is now hitting from long range for the Pelicans.
This becomes a key floor battle for the young rookie on the Nets' side. Both will likely defend one another and attempt the outshoot the other.
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