The Brooklyn Nets received the No. 6 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery despite having the best odds for the No. 1 pick. This outcome has disappointed fans and players alike, with social media reactions highlighting their frustration.
The Brooklyn Nets came away from Sunday's 2026 NBA Draft Lottery with disappointing news as they ended up with the No. 6 overall pick in June's draft despite having the best odds of getting the No. 1 pick. Brooklyn ended the 2025-26 season with the third-worst record in the league (20-62), meaning they had a 14.0% chance of getting the No. 1 pick and a 52.1% chance of their pick remaining in the top-4.
For whatever reason, the Netsfell by three spots, reminding Nets fans of what happened last year when Brooklyn fell from the No. 6 pick to the No. 8 pick, landing them BYU guard Egor Demin. This time around, the Nets could be looking at a bevy of guards that should be available at the No. 6 choice, headlined by Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. and Illinois sharpshooting guard Keaton Wagler.
While Brooklyn likely had the hope of their pick landing in the top-3 so that they could be in a position to choose BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, or Duke forward Cameron Boozer, the Lottery did not turn out in their favor. With that being said, here is how social media reacted to the Nets falling in the Lottery, including a response from Nets veteran forward Terance Mann:
Bruh
— Terance Mann (@terance_mann) May 10, 2026
I was watching the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery again and I discovered that the No. 1 pick was almost in the hands of the Brooklyn Nets.
The 4-2 first two digit combination for the No. 1 pick essentially made it a 50-50 chance for BKN and WAS.
#1 was next, but #12 right behind. If… pic.twitter.com/SeXPd9q5Ql
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) May 11, 2026
The Nets ended up with the No. 6 pick despite having a 14.0% chance for the No. 1 pick due to their poor season record.
The Nets had a 14.0% chance of securing the No. 1 pick and a 52.1% chance of remaining in the top-4.
The Nets may consider guards like Darius Acuff Jr. from Arkansas and Keaton Wagler from Illinois with the No. 6 pick.
Social media reactions included disappointment and frustration, with players like Terance Mann expressing their feelings about the outcome.

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The Nets traded three first-round picks and one first-round swap to regain control over their 2025 and 2026 first-round picks so they could tank.
They move down a combined five slots in those two lotteries. Absolutely brutal.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) May 10, 2026
Hilarious part of NBA lottery odds
Nets have least talent in league probably by far but because tanking is so inviting and odds so flat
They are pot stuck for a generation now
— Doug Norrie (@DougNorrie) May 10, 2026
This fall is much more disappointing than last year’s for the Nets.
Brooklyn did everything in their power to get as high of a pick as possible, achieving max odds for this draft, yet after falling 2 spots last year, they fall 3 spots this season, outside of the top-4 in a draft…
— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) May 10, 2026
The NBA has given Nets fans nothing to root for.
No top picks.
No superstars.
No hype.Barclays Center will be empty for another season and Nets fans will continue to suffer. The Nets are the most hopeless team in the NBA.
— Dion Zervos (@TheZReport_) May 10, 2026
Once again the Nets get screwed
2025 6th ➡️ 8th
2026 3rd ➡️ 6thHard to even express the disappointment I’m feeling right now. This franchise just can’t turn itself around.
— NetsFrequent (@Nets_Frequent) May 10, 2026
Brooklyn/NJ Nets Lottery Luck Since 2010:
When they've held their own pick, the pick UNDERachieved all 3 times...
When another team held the Nets pick, it either OVERachieved or broke even all 6 times...
Pretty unbelievable... Are they cursed? #NetsWorldpic.twitter.com/HgbQuD5PvK
— Mike (@Mike_NYY) May 10, 2026
Where does Sunday rank in Nets heartbreak?
That’s never an easy question around this franchise. Too many cruel breaks and missed chances are already packed into the archives.
Brooklyn had top-four odds. It left with No. 6.
This one belongs somewhere on the list.… pic.twitter.com/zh5WPXYBy3
— C.J. Holmes (@HolmesScribe) May 10, 2026
How would we feel about a potential rotation of ⬇️
G Kingston Flemings (#6 overall pick)
G Austin Reaves (Free Agency)
F Michael Porter Jr.
F John Collins (Free Agency)
C Nic ClaxtonBench: Dëmin, Clowney, Mann
Brooklyn has some money to play with, but no 2027 picks to… pic.twitter.com/HdbFDaUIl5
— SleeperNets (@SleeperNets) May 11, 2026
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Social media reacts to Nets falling to No. 6 pick in 2026 NBA Draft