Despite adding veteran force Julius Randle and rookie standout Mikel Brown Jr., Brooklyn’s youth-heavy roster struggles to climb the virtual rankings behind leading scorer Michael Porter Jr.
NBA2K27 released its team ratings, and the Brooklyn Nets round out the list as the worst team for the second straight year.
Brooklyn is rated 79 overall, two points higher than last year. The slight improvement comes from the additions of Julius Randle and Mikel Brown Jr.
Randle, who was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a four-team trade, is rated 83 overall. The 12-year veteran is a proven 20-point scorer who can dish the ball, too (five assists per game last season).
He shared primary shot-creating duties alongside star guard Anthony Edwards. Defenders struggled to contain his bulky 6-foot-9, 250-pound frame on drives, as a shoulder bump could give him the separation needed to score.
Brown, the sixth overall pick in this year's draft, debuts at a 74 overall. Brooklyn's potential franchise point guard has the sixth-highest rating among rookies.
He is embracing the spotlight playing in New York, which he believes is the best city for basketball. During summer league, Brown showcased his versatility, responding to the challenges coach Dutch Gaitley set for him.
He got skinny on screens, navigating them well; blocked shots and jumped passing lanes for quick steals. The two-way versatility wasn’t what he was known for in college, but he made strides in Las Vegas.
Michael Porter Jr. is the highest-rated Net at an 85 overall. It's a three-level improvement after a breakout year as a No. 1 option last season.
Porter averaged a career-high 24.2 points on 46.3% from the field and 30% usage. Coach Jordi Fernández played a significant role in the 6-foot-10 forward's growth, allowing him to initiate offense more often, something he didn't do much with the Denver Nuggets.
He is in the midst of contract extension negotiations with the team. The two parties have yet to agree on terms, but Brooklyn has a creative way to extend him.
It can use the $4.5 million remaining in cap space to raise next season's salary, and lower the 2027-28 salary by up to 40%. That scenario could be a promising compromise rather than extending Porter with the four-year, $234 million maximum extension.
Randle and Porter's overalls are what's saving the Nets from ranking even lower. The rest of the roster is rated 79 or lower -- primarily comprised of young, unproven talent.
General manager Sean Marks has had an active offseason overhauling the roster to compete next season, but it's not enough to be impressive in NBA2K27.
