Brooklyn capitalized on the Julius Randle trade to add an Iowa State standout in the second round, bringing an elite, Jokić-style facilitator to revamp their frontcourt and boost playmaking versatility.
After selecting Louisville point guard Mikel Brown Jr. with the No. 6 overall pick, the Brooklyn Nets went big with the No. 28 selection, adding Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson.
Just three days ago, the Nets wouldn't have picked again until the second round, but moved up to the conclusion of the first through the Julius Randle deal, allowing them to draft the consensus All-American.
Jefferson was one of few players who showed up to the 2026 NBA Draft in person despite not being invited to the green room, saying that he "knew somebody would take a chance" on him.
Now, the versatile point forward will join a Brooklyn team who just added a huge boost in playmaking with it's first two selections.
Draft Grade: B+
Jefferson was the table setter for Iowa State's high-octane offensive attack, touching the ball nearly every possession and creating open looks for his teammates.
Similar to 3-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić, Jefferson does a lot of his damage and orchestrating from the top of the key and mid-post, making reads and attacking double teams.
Last season, Jefferson averaged 16.4 points per game, while leading his team in rebounding (7.4) and finishing just shy of the team-lead for assists (4.8).
Jefferson recorded two triple-doubles, including 17-point, 12-assist, and 10-rebound showing against UCF.
The 6-foot-8 forward dominated the Knights, adding four steals and keeping the ball out of harms way with zero giveaways.
Unfortunately, Jefferson suffered an ankle injury in March Madness, which derailed the Cyclones' National Championship hopes.
But, Jefferson still had strong showings against top-tier competition, especially during the Big 12 Tournament.
Despite losing 82-80 in the conference championship game to Arizona, Jefferson scored 21 points, adding four rebounds, three steals, and a block.
Jefferson looked extremely comfortable throughout the tournament, taking over games with his versatility.
Looking at Brooklyn's current roster, Jefferson could become a seamless fit alongside some of the Nets' staples.
Should Michael Porter Jr. stick around long-term, Jefferson could fill a Jokić type facilitating role that Porter excelled with in Denver, while providing Brown with a trusty pick-and-roll partner from day one in the league.
As part of the Randle deal, Brooklyn moved longtime starting big man Nic Claxton, leaving the front court rotation a bit murky.
Jefferson's size and skill would allow him to fill in as a 5-man, allowing the Nets to space the floor and go small.
With Randle and Porter's size, Jefferson could definitely hold his own at the center position.
Join the Community
Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join, simply by clicking the yellow button at the top of the homepage. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
