The Brooklyn Nets' season ended with a 125-108 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on April 11, 2026, capping a difficult final stretch. As the team looks ahead to the 2026-27 season, a major hypothetical question emerges: which players would they protect if the NBA expanded this summer? Commissioner Adam Silver has discussed adding teams in cities like Las Vegas, making this a timely thought exercise for a rebuilding franchise.
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In any expansion draft scenario, teams typically protect a core group of players. For the Nets, the clear, automatic choices are guard Mikel Brown Jr. and forward Egor Demin. Both represent the young foundation of the team's future. Brown's playmaking and Demin's scoring potential make them essential pieces for the long-term rebuild. Protecting them is the easiest decision the front office would face.
Beyond those two, the choices become much more complicated. The team must weigh potential, cost, and immediate fit.
Analysts suggest the Nets could leave several useful players exposed. Noah Clowney, Josh Minott, and Day'Ron Sharpe are all mentioned as valuable because they are productive and still on cheap contracts. Their affordability is a major asset for a team managing its salary cap. Drake Powell showed strong defensive instincts last season, offering hope his offensive game develops. Joshua Jefferson, drafted 28th is a cost-controlled combo forward the team just invested in.
Then there's the case of Michael Porter Jr. Some argue for leaving him unprotected. An expansion franchise might hesitate to build around a 28-year-old secondary option, especially one in the final year of a contract paying $40.8 million. His age and contract status create a significant financial question mark for a new team.
The Nets' recent on-court struggles highlight the need for smart roster construction.
This context makes every protection decision critical. The team isn't just picking players to keep. They are deciding who fits the timeline of a return to playoff contention. Young, controllable assets like Clowney and Sharpe might be more valuable to Brooklyn's future than a high-priced veteran on an expiring deal. The front office must project which players will grow with the core of Brown and Demin.
General Manager Sean Marks and his staff have a complex puzzle to solve, even if expansion isn't imminent. Evaluating this hypothetical forces a hard look at the roster's long-term value. It clarifies who the organization truly views as part of the next competitive Nets team. For fans, it's a revealing glimpse into the franchise's priorities as they aim to climb the standings in the coming years.
