ESPN Projects Brooklyn Nets to Finish Last in NBA Standings

Media outlet ESPN projected the Brooklyn Nets to finish with the worst record in the NBA at 18-64 for the upcoming 2026-27 season, despite the off-season acquisition of former All-NBA forward Julius Randle.

The projected record marks a two-game decline from Brooklyn's 20-62 finish in the 2025-26 season, where they held the third-worst record overall. ESPN's summer projections placed the Nets at No. 15 in the Eastern Conference, behind both the Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards.

Brooklyn acquired Randle earlier this off-season via a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Minnesota sent Randle to the Nets in a salary dump move that helped the Timberwolves acquire point guard LaMelo Ball.

The transaction followed a disappointing 2026 postseason run for Randle with Minnesota, where he averaged 16 points per game while shooting 39.9% from the field and 24.4% from three-point range. In Minnesota's playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, Randle was limited to 12.8 points per game on 34.2% shooting.

ESPN insiders addressed the team's outlook ahead of the new campaign in their projections release.

"The Nets ... are also here, but Brooklyn did add former All-NBA forward Julius Randle to help provide legitimacy to its rebuild," reported ESPN.

Randle previously spent five seasons with the New York Knicks after signing a four-year, $117 million contract extension on August 25, 2021. During his tenure in New York, he earned two All-NBA selections and led the Knicks to two postseason appearances before being traded to Minnesota in October 2024 for Karl-Anthony Towns.

The move to Brooklyn pairs Randle with forward Michael Porter Jr. in the frontcourt, alongside a young backcourt featuring rookie lottery pick Mikel Brown Jr. and second-year guard Egor Demin. Young center Day'Ron Sharpe is expected to take over starting duties following the departure of Nic Claxton.

Brooklyn will also rely on a bench unit led by point guard Nolan Traore alongside veteran contributors Moe Wagner and Keon Ellis. The organization does not control its first-round pick for the upcoming draft, shifting internal focus toward player development and roster chemistry.