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Who would the Nets take with the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft?
TL;DR
The Brooklyn Nets are eyeing the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, potentially selecting Kansas guard Darryn Peterson. Peterson averaged 20.2 points and is considered a strong candidate despite concerns about his assist numbers.
Key points
- Brooklyn Nets aim for No. 2 pick in 2026 NBA Draft
- Darryn Peterson averaged 20.2 points for Kansas
- Concerns exist about Peterson's assist numbers
- Nets currently projected to have third overall pick
- Simulation suggests potential for No. 2 pick
Mentioned in this story
Kansas Jayhawks
Brooklyn NetsDarryn Peterson2026 NBA Draft
The Brooklyn Nets are in the early stages of their offseason where they hope that they land the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft to take their next franchise-level player. Brooklyn does not know what pick they will get in the upcoming draft thanks to the Lottery, but who would they take if they land the second overall pick in the draft?
"Unless something shows up during medical reports, Darryn Peterson will be evaluated strictly on his on-court development and predraft interviews," Jonathan Wasserman wrote for Bleacher Report in his latest mock draft on Kansas guard Darryn Peterson. The Nets are currently mocked to have the third overall pick, but Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley did a simulation on Tankathon that gave them the No. 2 pick.
"If he drops to No. 2, 3 or even 4, one reason will be because of his mere 2.2 assists per 40 minutes, a number that paints an archetype—perimeter-scoring, non-playmaking guard—that's seemingly lost value in recent years," Wasserman continued. "However, there's plenty of evidence of front offices factoring in context with freshmen and putting stock into high school tape, which shows Peterson thriving as a primary ball-handler, creating rim pressure and shots for teammates."
Peterson enters the draft after averaging 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 43.8% from the field and 38.2% from behind the three-point line in 24 games played for the Jayhawks. Coming into the 2025-26 season, Peterson was projected to be the No. 1 overall pick, but that was before BYU forward AJ Dybantsa showed his ability to be the primary offensive engine for the Cougars.
If the Nets end up with the second overall pick, which they have a 13.4% chance of doing so, they would have their choice of Peterson, Duke forward Cameron Boozer, and North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson. Nets general manager Sean Marks has already spoken on what the team is looking for in a draft prospect so it'll be interesting to see if Peterson fits that mold at the No. 2 pick.
Q&A
Who is Darryn Peterson and what are his stats?
Darryn Peterson is a guard from Kansas who averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 43.8% from the field and 38.2% from three-point range.
What factors could affect Darryn Peterson's draft position?
Peterson's draft position may be influenced by his low assist numbers and the evaluation of his on-court development during predraft interviews.
What are the Brooklyn Nets' current draft pick projections for 2026?
The Brooklyn Nets are currently projected to have the third overall pick, but a recent simulation suggests they could land the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.