So where do the Brooklyn Nets turn to now that a disastrous 2025-26 season ended? Here are three areas.
The Brooklyn Nets finished with its worst record since the 2016-17 season on Sunday.
That Nets team from nearly a decade ago stumbled to 20-62 too. This one took their 62nd loss after falling 136-101 to the Toronto Raptors.
So with no playoffs to turn to, where do the Nets turn to now?
There are three areas to address, starting with addressing this elephant in the room:
Jordi Fernandez's Future
The Nets took a big step back in the second season under Fernandez.
Brooklyn lost six more games compared to its first campaign under the head coach. Yet this season felt expected.
Fernandez got handed one of the league's youngest rosters featuring five rookies. Plus added a role player from the Denver Nuggets in Michael Porter Jr. to become the top guy. And yet still heard trade chatter amid his massive salary.
But Brooklyn fans should expect Fernandez to return despite the dismal results.
"Losing is not fun, but as an organization we value our wins in a different way,” Fernández said with reporters after the Raptors game. “Wins can be development and wins can be the experience of these guys being exposed to real games. And I think that we’re in a very good place.”
Even his general manager Sean Marks acknowledged this season's results were coming.
"Knowing that our objective this year was to have the young guys play and play real NBA minutes,” Marks said after the defeat. “That was the number one priority in between the G League and the development there and also here. We now lead the league in rookie minutes the whole year, so that’s exactly what we wanted to do.”
Deciding the top pick
And that includes Brooklyn potentially landing at No. 1, which looks more realistic.
The Nets must decide on a versatile point guard but one with a history of passing first. This team already features impressive guard depth for the future in Drake Powell, Egor Demin and Nolan Traore.
Darius Acuff entered the picture late as a Brooklyn possibility. Kingston Flemings is another who's officially in the draft waters. Keaton Wagler of Illinois is one more top five option.
But adding a physical big can be enticing. Caleb Wilson of North Carolina could enter here.
Yet at No. 1, AJ Dybantsa is the trending pick to land there. And Brooklyn will have a hard time passing on the BYU star if they select first.
Who to Keep Between Day'Ron Sharpe and Ziaire Williams
This is a daunting one involving Marks.
Both flashed toward the end, including becoming the lead scorer on occasion amid the injury pileups.
The two carry a $6.2 million team option for the offseason. One likely has to go to make way for the first round pick.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected.