The Brooklyn Nets have been projected to be a top-three pick in the NBA draft lottery, but a misfortune has led them to fall in the lottery and pick sixth overall. Despite this setback, the Nets have a strong roster depth and player development that could lead to a surprising playoff run. The team has focused on player development for the rookies over the past year, and the emergence of Michael Porter Jr. as an offensive weapon and first option has given the Nets a boost. With their lottery pick, they drafted Russian-born player Egor Dëmin eighth overall and eased him into the squad with reduced minutes, increasing them as the season wore on until he became an integral part of the team. He came into the league with concerns surrounding his long-range shooting, but by season's end he was one of the top-shooting rookies in the class and was on course to make an all-rookie team before an injury to his foot ended his season. The Nets also have 19th-overall pick French guard Nolan Traoré, who split time between the Long Island Nets and the NBA. He spent most of the first half of the season in the G-League, dominating before being called up to the NBA. The Nets' strong roster depth and player development could lead to a surprising playoff run, and fans are eagerly waiting to see how the team will perform this season.