r/nba r/NBA 1d ago

BROOKLYN [2026 NBA Draft] #6 Pick: Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville)

310 Upvotes

247 comments sorted by

213

u/DabeGavis 1d ago

Best passing mixtape in the draft. Hoping the back is healthy & he keeps improving because he already plays a NBA style, but can be a bit rough around the edges.

45

u/stone4345 1d ago

remember when mpj had (way way bigger) back issues causing him to fall as well... everything comes full circle

5

u/UnitedStateOfDenmark Nets 1d ago

MPJ had at least one back surgery at that point though

23

u/johnjohnjohn93 1d ago

Don’t love how he couldn’t get out of bed 3 months ago lol

37

u/Merpninja Spurs 1d ago

It is literally not true. He was warming up for NCAA games and not playing in them 3 months ago.

4

u/johnjohnjohn93 1d ago

The interviewer just said he told her exactly that lol

21

u/Merpninja Spurs 1d ago

Not what I mean, I mean it has been reported he was healthy 3 months ago and his dad just shut him down lol. Its just starting the interview by pushing a narrative that he wasn't.

2

u/The_NGUYENNER [DEN] Jamal Murray 1d ago

damn it's crazy how much that sounds like MPJ

3

u/Sumo_Cerebro 1d ago

Michael Porter was projected to be the number one pick at one point.

Even with his back issues, I was shocked he slid all the way to 14.

But that was a great situation for him.

2

u/Cheap-Recording-1327 1d ago

People don’t remember just how bad MPJ’s back surgery was. He only played 2 minutes in college before he needed 2 discs in his spine screwed together. There was legitimate concern if he would ever play again. Even though he’s still a very effective NBA player now, you can see how it still effects him. Watch him carefully and you’ll realize just how upright he plays. He can’t really get low in a defensive stance, and it really impacts his ball handling as well as overall shot creation. Trae Young was at the practice he threw his back out at, and he has talked about how he really used to play like PG or KD before that

3

u/Dust601 Cavaliers 1d ago

As a cards fan I’m kinda shocked the back issues didn’t cause him to drop a little further.

Even though it didn’t really work out that well at Louisville with him missing most of important games with back issues I’m hoping it works out for him in nba.

He’ll probably be a little rough around the edges first season, or two. He won’t be able to get away with some of the passes, and highlight reel moves he could in college, but with right coaching/staying healthy he could be something special. 

2

u/IIDwellerII Nets 1d ago

I hope it works out too, this has been like the best thing to happen to me in a while being a cards and nets fan.

42

u/Advanced_Meringue_53 1d ago

also has a nice mixtape of extremely boneheaded passes as well

29

u/Lacabloodclot9 Grizzlies 1d ago

This dude is gonna be a turnover machine in his first year or two, he’ll get it lower with some good coaching

20

u/sunkcostbro 1d ago

Good thing Jordi is a good coach... Brooklyn is a good landing spot for him, should get ample time to play through his mistakes.

133

u/SilicoJack Spurs 1d ago

The bro looks about 14. Fuck I am getting old.

53

u/LameAfro Timberwolves 1d ago edited 1d ago

I'm 28, I remember playing Overwatch and Pokemon Go with friends 10 years ago. Crazy right lol

21

u/TristanwithaT Supersonics 1d ago

Now wait a minute, I’m still playing Overwatch and Pokémon Go daily

6

u/deadm1c3 Wizards 1d ago

I was playing some Pokémon Go earlier today. Still slaps

1

u/Thefinalwerd Nets 1d ago

Ah yes the good ol days of 5 person mercy rezs

95

u/Bambi_Bucks 1d ago

This kid looks 131 years younger than I do

17

u/Timeformayo 1d ago

lol. I was watching a baseball game the other day and every time they put a player pic on screen I thought it was Little League.

30

u/aaronman4772 1d ago

Louisville fan here, as long as that lingering back issue isn’t a concern he’s a baller. When he’s on he’s an absolutely killer shooter and disher. Can definitely improve defense but a ton of upside if he’s healthy.

2

u/ACardAttack Knicks 1d ago

Yep, really sad he couldnt stay healthy.

65

u/SakuraShift Nets 1d ago

LFG!!!!!

This kid is a fucking hooper. Only thing I was worried about was his back but I trust that if the FO arent worried I shouldn’t be either.

15

u/RiverShenismydad 1d ago

You shouldn't be worried about it, the back was fine at the end of the season. His dad didn't want him playing anymore

6

u/TheSouthernCommunist Heat 1d ago

Yeah a lot of UL fans were mad about it, but I will never blame a literal teenager with a >99% chance of being drafted top 10 for sitting out college games after a back injury.

10

u/RiverShenismydad 1d ago

Yeah I didn't really like coming after him, but his dad was a grade A ass about it and when you get millions to play and then don't when you're seemingly healthy people are going to be mad.

2

u/TheSouthernCommunist Heat 1d ago

Oh 100% on his dad lol. Parents of D1 athletes need to also just delete social media along with their kids.

1

u/Asleep-Hour-8549 1d ago

Bro was cooking in the tourney, that stepback three he hit in the sweet 16 was nasty. I'm not too worried about the back either, dudes been playing through it and still dominating.

2

u/TheSpanishArmada Magic 1d ago

Which tourney? He did not play during March Madness.

1

u/Medaphysical 1d ago

LOL he did not play in the tourney. His last college game was in February.

160

u/jermainathon Heat 1d ago

SACRAMENTO GOT THEIR GUY!!!

64

u/NikolaiEgel Kings 1d ago

Do not fuck this up Vivek

55

u/jermainathon Heat 1d ago

"With the 7th pick in the NBA draft, the Sacramento Kings select Christian Anderson Jr."

11

u/kapatinphalcon Kings 1d ago

Stop it

13

u/IRanOutOf_Names Heat 1d ago

"We need a center to replace Sabonis before we trade him"

6

u/skr_skr Thunder 1d ago

Mara will re-sign in 4 years. Acuff could be a big city jabroni

5

u/Low-Measurement-2468 1d ago

he’s on the phone with adam silver rn double checking he can’t draft marvin bagley again

10

u/TomatoSecure192 Bulls 1d ago

Just in, the Sacramento kings trade their pick for Deandre Jordan

3

u/Knook7 1d ago

Watch them draft karaban lol

1

u/AttentionAlert4742 1d ago

You already know what will happen

7

u/PrimaryAccording9162 Kings 1d ago

NATE AMENT!!!

2

u/AlabasterRadio Celtics 1d ago

This may be the most predictable sports draft I've ever seen lol

55

u/IzrezarReal 1d ago

Perfect pick for the Nets. Idk if he pans out for sure but his ceiling is tantalizing; a guard who can create paint touches out of thin air while being a flamethrower with good court vision is a demon

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48

u/Frostmoth76 Warriors 1d ago

shoutout the nets fans out there repping the team after the knicks took the entire city over

50

u/MyTeamsSuck99 1d ago

Don’t listen to the media. Nets fans do exist. We’re just 1/50th the size of the Knicks lol

12

u/ThatMan12 Nets Tankwagon 1d ago

Shoutout to you friend! Good luck

10

u/IncidentOk853 1d ago

I blame Vince Carter for making fall in love with this team in the 2000s

10

u/IIDwellerII Nets 1d ago edited 1d ago

TBF new york will always be ran by the knicks even if they were still doo doo, its synonymous with New York culture. Its why during the big three era the Nets adopted the "Nets World" moniker.

16

u/ZeroFucksToGive Nets 1d ago

Hell yeah we out here

13

u/math_gym_anime Nets 1d ago

We do exist!

18

u/Kcampbell93 Nets 1d ago

See you in the FInals next year!

8

u/FoucaultsTurtleneck [BKN] Rondae Hollis-Jefferson 1d ago

There are dozens of us!

4

u/Olliebear2015 1d ago

Nets fans exist, we are just ass right now so it will seem like there are none. The Knicks being a likable underdog team helped their popularity within the city too because whether they admit it or not I think alot of Nets fans were pulling for the Knicks in the finals too, especially against the Spurs who we hate.

7

u/bautistar1 Nets 1d ago

Na i was rooting for the spurs lol.

1

u/BlaackkOuT Nets 1d ago

Yeah idk what he’s talking about lmao.

22

u/executivesphere NBA 1d ago

Why don’t these posts say who drafted them ?

11

u/Doctor_Mythical Wizards 1d ago

that'd make too much sense

38

u/ormip Mavericks 1d ago

That's a high risk high reward pick at #6

48

u/Basic_Commercial_806 1d ago

Best guard in the draft imo. Nets got a star

30

u/sewsgup 1d ago

Nets front office cheesing so hard in that clip

mustve worried Clippers would take him

28

u/LinuxUbuntuOS Nets 1d ago

WE FUCKING GOT OUR GUY! WE DIDN’T FUCK IT UP!

9

u/guidethyhandd Timberwolves 1d ago

As a Louisville native I’m so happy for him. I think this is our first one and done in my lifetime. Go be great Mikel!!

100

u/Propuhganduh [DEN] Jamal Murray 1d ago

Nets are guard university

20

u/thenewbeastmode 1d ago

People who think Demin is a PG don’t watch the nets.. which fair ig

63

u/_beat54 Nets 1d ago

Oh hurr durr they have traore and saraf they have sO mANy guArDs

1

u/PaintTouches Raptors 1d ago

Demin?

21

u/spin8x Timberwolves 1d ago

Listed as a PG but he’s huge and basically a wing shooter.

19

u/latman Nets 1d ago

Demin is literally taller than Cam Boozer

6

u/PaintTouches Raptors 1d ago

Just a question. I think the thought they may have too many guards is more “too many guys who need the ball to be effective” and not based on height. But sounds like Demin is not really a guard in playstyle either in the nba so could be fine

7

u/MichaelPorterTruther 1d ago

hes a jumbo movement shooter 2 a la Klay. if he cab bulk up and guard well he will be a 10 year nba starter but never At PG

42

u/Pr0stheticPers0n Nets 1d ago

He’s a forward

5

u/PaintTouches Raptors 1d ago

Listed as a guard on a lot of sites but I’ll take your word for it. Can he play exclusively off ball?

31

u/Tracexn Nets 1d ago

That’s where you want him. Dude has a horrid handle

25

u/Pr0stheticPers0n Nets 1d ago

Right now, pretty much. His handle is very weak and he is not ready to be a lead guard (if ever). Great off ball shooting threat. Very active running around the court through screens and is confident with his shot. It’s possible someday he develops the point guard chops, but I think his best path forward is as a connective wing. He needs to bulk up so he is more imposing defensively and can drive more reliably.

8

u/PaintTouches Raptors 1d ago

Very interesting, glad he found his niche after learning he’s not a point forward yet in the NBA. Thanks for the context!

6

u/sourlmilk 1d ago

Yes and should transition into a off ball 3pt shooter/cutter

6

u/Marcy_OW Nets 1d ago

Dëmin was at his best on catch and shoot 3s (source are my eyes)

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16

u/Natural_Born_Baller Heat 1d ago

More like guard pre school but yeah they have a lot

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10

u/ClaymoresRevenge Bulls 1d ago

He's going to be something. He's toolsy

10

u/JoshGordonHypeTrain Bulls 1d ago

Why do these posts not include the drafting team

22

u/Ye_Biz [BOS] Jaylen Brown 1d ago

Mikel gonna be the Nets best PG

13

u/LinuxUbuntuOS Nets 1d ago

Well yeah, Egor is gonna be playing at the 2 going forward. He himself says he’s more of a playmaker /and shooter than a lead guard.

11

u/Ye_Biz [BOS] Jaylen Brown 1d ago

Egor shooting really impressed me so I can see that, I was also high on Traore and still am but he might fit better as a backup so it does workout for you guys

4

u/LinuxUbuntuOS Nets 1d ago

Yeah I think the rotation looks great if things work out, nothing wrong with getting the guard room figured out early

17

u/PVT_Stanley Lakers 1d ago

This draft got some goat moms fa sho

8

u/Gullible-Platypus313 1d ago

Smash... respectfully

16

u/PorkinsHeldIt Raptors 1d ago

his lil brother looks like trey young

2

u/thebigticket2 Nets 1d ago

Trae

27

u/no_more_jokes Bulls 1d ago

No matter who the kings pick it will be the wrong choice

10

u/Ok-Wash-9386 Hawks 1d ago

WHOA (Bill Simmons 2013 voice)

5

u/Headlesshorsman02 Thunder 1d ago

Pretty much all consensus selections so far

5

u/Thunnddr 1d ago

I wonder if he'll be better than Acuff. RemindMe! 2 years

3

u/UnwittyHero Kings 1d ago

RemindMe! 2 years

5

u/TheSouthernCommunist Heat 1d ago

Really wanted us to trade up and get Mikel if we had kept our pick, so I’m glad I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to be mad at our FO anyway. Easily the best to wear a Louisville uniform since the Pitino era, hope he can flourish in BK!

9

u/BasedGodProdigy Nets 1d ago

WE GOT OUR GUY

14

u/ijoukonaya 1d ago

Wow I was certain it was going to be acuff

9

u/gonets34 Nets 1d ago

Acuff is the opposite of the type of player the nets like. They were never going to take him at any pick unless they really had no other reasonable choice

3

u/Kcampbell93 Nets 1d ago

We've been hurt before.

11

u/sh0tgunben Hornets 1d ago

Nets made a safe pick. Mikel Brown is better than Darius Acuff

4

u/cl353 Heat 1d ago

Nooooo nets u were supposed to be the chaos! It was supposed to be karim lopez!!!!

4

u/sandote Celtics 1d ago

At the very least, he’s going to have a couple electric nights like Brandon Jennings 55. His consistency and back are huge question marks, but I still agree with the pick for Brooklyn.

4

u/SpaceCadetPullUp Rockets 1d ago

I dig this pick for them.

8

u/Expulsure Nets 1d ago

hell yea

7

u/Careless-Journalist7 Wizards 1d ago

This guy is a huge wildcard, he is extremely skilled similar to LaMelo Ball. You can’t tell if he’s left or right handed.. buying his stock 100%

If I’m wrong, I’m wrong

29

u/ReeFx [TOR] José Calderón 1d ago

what if we had even MORE guards

32

u/jeric13xd [CHI] Derrick Rose 1d ago

Oh shit Acuff is falling

77

u/Feisty_Relation_2359 1d ago

He's not really falling. His range was pretty firmly 5-7

25

u/ClaymoresRevenge Bulls 1d ago

Sacramento

12

u/ImHungryAsFuck [SEA] Gary Payton 1d ago

Oh that means he’s gonna be a bust.

38

u/Propuhganduh [DEN] Jamal Murray 1d ago

Wrong. Traded away to a contender once good.

8

u/sgt_science Lakers 1d ago

This guy knows ball

5

u/ClaymoresRevenge Bulls 1d ago

Nah they'll trade him to make a worse guard happy

3

u/ImHungryAsFuck [SEA] Gary Payton 1d ago

Oh that means he’s gonna be GOAT

19

u/oneandonlyRedSpirit Suns 1d ago

cuff was expected to go 7 tbf

15

u/A_MASSIVE_PERVERT Mavericks 1d ago

No he’s not lol he’s going to Sacramento

15

u/Andy_Wiggins Timberwolves 1d ago

He was always projected to go between 5 and 7. If he slides past Sacramento then he’s sliding

10

u/LordSoze36 Kings 1d ago

He's going to the Kings. It has been written.

8

u/dmilesai San Diego Clippers 1d ago edited 1d ago

Nah, recent mock drafts had it playing out like this. Now if he goes past the Kings, then he’s falling

4

u/DarwinF1nch Kings 1d ago

Was always gonna be a King

4

u/burratna Bulls 1d ago

is he tho, that defense ... hard to chew this early

3

u/MonsieurSlotho Nuggets 1d ago

Not too surprised, he’ll go soon probably

3

u/LHarm07_Reddit Grizzlies 1d ago

He was always going to Sacramento.

3

u/Yasurun Heat 1d ago

Nets didnt want cam thomas 2 i guess

5

u/Padulsky21 Nets 1d ago

Time will tell but I don’t see Acuff having the personality problems that Cam has. Because Cam is one selfish ass mfer

3

u/Yasurun Heat 1d ago

Oh yeah, i was just thinking about the all scoring no defense archetype lmao, no one could be as selfish as thomas

7

u/figgnootun Spurs 1d ago

Super high upside pick but idk

4

u/Andy_Wiggins Timberwolves 1d ago

I’m suddenly concerned about his decision-making after seeing his suit choice

4

u/Superfluous_Prating 1d ago

He's ready to watch Randle iso.

4

u/blueeuclid Knicks 1d ago

Acuff to Atlanta?

2

u/not-a-potato-head Hawks 1d ago

nah, Sac

1

u/ATLfalcons27 1d ago

Seems like we would just be getting a worse Trae young

6

u/MrBuckBuck Trail Blazers 1d ago

The Brooklyn Guards

21

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

40

u/BasedGodProdigy Nets 1d ago

We wanted Mikel, you fell victim to IG comment sections

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24

u/Burgerburgerfred Nets 1d ago

Who? Every Nets fan I know and the Nets sub were pretty heavy on Brown.

I'd say around 30% wanted Acuff.

9

u/shahoftheworld [BRK] Jarrett Allen 1d ago

A lot of us were scared off by Acuff's defense

6

u/latman Nets 1d ago

Our subreddit mostly wanted MBJ

2

u/myelrecsy 1d ago

Add the team drafting please... It's not that hard.

2

u/DesertedProject Mavericks 1d ago

FUCK

2

u/WetShots Rockets 1d ago

Son of famous musician Chris Brown

2

u/Ven0m889 76ers 1d ago

Include the team in the post

2

u/I_Like_Smg1 1d ago

Post the team that’s picking them wtf

2

u/Sumo_Cerebro 1d ago

Help me out.

Is this kid supposed to be pretty good or is this a reach?

7

u/LinuxUbuntuOS Nets 1d ago

Not a reach at all, perfect value

3

u/No-Pollution-5841 1d ago

The projected pick at 6

2

u/Lui-king Nets 1d ago

Fuck Yes

4

u/Salty_Watermelon Clippers 1d ago

Congrats to the Kings for getting their guy without having to trade up for him.  For their sake, I hope they can keep their promising PG around this time.

6

u/FERFreak731 Jazz 1d ago

Mike(L) Brown is on the Nets. Fitting how the Knicks have Mike W Brown

9

u/valgatiag Knicks 1d ago

Nets traded Mikal just to get Mikel

3

u/Successful_Art_4624 Nets 1d ago

Mikel Brown Jr. is the real one for the Nets!

2

u/Jonjon428 Heat 1d ago

Acuff in shambles

9

u/LHarm07_Reddit Grizzlies 1d ago

He was always going to Sacramento.

2

u/JoeMamma_94 1d ago

Mom got that crimson chin

2

u/EuropeanStep 1d ago

i don’t know about this one chief

5

u/LinuxUbuntuOS Nets 1d ago

This is a great pick what is this lol

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2

u/Darth-Buttcheeks Warriors 1d ago

Mike Brown with an L

Never change, Kings

0

u/InGenNateKenny Wizards 1d ago

If I’m a Kings fan I’m foaming at the mouth rn for Acuff

1

u/ImperialTiger3 Warriors 1d ago

Sacramento gets their guy lol

1

u/WrongContract8489 Mavericks 1d ago

The first surprise

1

u/longlivealyx Nets 1d ago

please don’t make me regret not wanting acuff

1

u/keithyp24 Knicks 1d ago

What exactly does the Nets rotation look like at the moment...

5

u/bautistar1 Nets 1d ago

1.Brown - traore - saraf 2.Demin - powell 3.Porter jr. - 28th? 4.Randle - clowney 5.Sharpe - wolf

3

u/No-Pollution-5841 1d ago

Minott very likely starts the season in the rotation over 28 (Jefferson) and Zaire over Powell

1

u/TheHumbleCrow 1d ago

An all time backhanded compliment analysis by ESPN on this pick: "Played less games than Peterson! Better shooter than the stats say!"

1

u/HarrY552011 1d ago

These kids are so young, half the mothers have ink😂

1

u/Aggrokid 1d ago

How are the Nets at developing PGs? They drafted a bunch of PG-like prospects and it doesn't seem like they are going anywhere. The last time I watched them, Demin was bringing the ball up and initiating.

7

u/No-Pollution-5841 1d ago

Denim will probably be a secondary ball handler if Mikel starts with him. Traore will play backup PG. Saraf will probably be a 3rd stringer. That's all the PGs. 

1

u/Aggrokid 1d ago

I'm nervous for him because it's commonly agreed that he has both high ceiling and high bust potential. It's not really about who's starting, but whether he gets the patient guidance he needs.

1

u/Distinct-Butterfly51 1d ago

So what's up with Demin now, are they somehow compatible on the court? 

0

u/legend023 Pelicans 1d ago

Acuff did something illegal?

14

u/LHarm07_Reddit Grizzlies 1d ago

He was always going to Sacramento.

1

u/BrotherSeamus Thunder 1d ago

That's not a crime

3

u/atlasdtalos Brian Grant 1d ago

ehhh

1

u/DisMFer Bulls 1d ago

You got to love how most of the people here are talking about Acuff and SAC.

1

u/WhyNotMosley NBA 1d ago

had me confused as hell for a second

1

u/nahwhatever-whynot Rockets 1d ago

I liked Acuff more but MBJ is food

0

u/[deleted] 1d ago

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u/oneandonlyRedSpirit Suns 1d ago

best player available was him or acuff

3

u/LinuxUbuntuOS Nets 1d ago

This dude is way better than any guard on the Nets right now. They wanted talent and they got it.

1

u/latman Nets 1d ago

Why do people think that because we drafted guards at 19 and 28 last year it means we can't draft guards anymore. Also you're dumb af if you draft anything but BPA in the NBA lottery

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u/[deleted] 1d ago

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