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Nets clinch top odds for first overall pick in 2026 NBA Draft
TL;DR
The Brooklyn Nets have secured the best odds for the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, finishing the season with a 20-61 record. Their final game against the Toronto Raptors will determine if they can tie for the second-worst record in the league.
The Brooklyn Nets have been having the kind of season that no one wants to see given that they have one of the worst records (20-61) in the NBA this season. However, given that Brooklyn focused on development as they continue to look for their franchise player of the future, the good news is that they have clinched the best odds for the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
After Friday's 125-108 loss at the Milwaukee Bucks, the Nets will finish in the top-3 of the NBA Draft Lottery no matter what happens during the NBA's regular-season finale on Sunday. Brooklyn travels to Canada to take on the Toronto Raptors on Sunday and the Indiana Pacers (19-62), currently with the second-worst record in the league, will take on the Detroit Pistons.
To add to the good news, the Nets could end up tied for the second-worst record if they lose to the Raptors and the Pacers find some way to beat the Pistons, the team with the best record in the Eastern Conference. Detroit has clinched the No. 1 overall seed in the East playoffs so it stands to reason that they could rest players like Cade Cunningham to make sure nothing untoward happens on Sunday.
To that point, the Raptors are tied with the Orlando Magic for the sixth and last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference so they have every reason to win the game to not have to go through the play-in tournament. Toronto will most likely give Brooklyn as much as they can handle, at least until the game ends up out of hand, so that they can secure their playoff spot.
While the Nets are playing for pride at this point in the season given that they are eliminated from postseason contention, players like Two-Way forward EJ Liddell have shown what they can do with the extra playing time. With the 2026 NBA Draft boasting potential franchise cornerstones in BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, and Duke forward Cameron Boozer, Brooklyn is in a solid position to get one of those players.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets clinch top odds for first overall pick in 2026 NBA Draft
Q&A
What are the Brooklyn Nets' current odds for the 2026 NBA Draft?
The Brooklyn Nets have clinched the best odds for the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
How did the Brooklyn Nets perform this NBA season?
The Brooklyn Nets finished the season with a record of 20-61, one of the worst in the league.
What must happen for the Nets to tie for the second-worst record in the NBA?
The Nets need to lose to the Raptors while the Indiana Pacers defeat the Detroit Pistons to tie for the second-worst record.
