Report: Nets linked to Aday Mara, Nate Ament in 2026 NBA Draft

The Brooklyn Nets came away from the 2026 NBA Draft with a disappointing result as they ended up with the No. 6 overall pick despite having the best odds of getting the No. 1 pick.

With the Lottery and Combine in the rearview, Brooklyn has been mocked to various guards expected to be available around their pick, but it appears that they are targeting other players in the draft. "Multiple league sources have connected Brooklyn to Michigan center Aday Mara and Tennessee freshman forward Nate Ament," Kevin O'Connor wrote in his latest mock draft for Yahoo! Sports.

To be clear, O'Connor projected the Nets to select Illinois guard Keaton Wagler, but it's interesting to see Brooklyn connected to two other players that could help in the frontcourt. "After measuring 7'3" barefoot with a 9'9" standing reach, Aday Mara has started to look too unique with nearly unmatchable advantage-creating physical traits," Jonathan Wasserman wrote of Mara in his latest mock draft for Bleacher Report. Mara appears to have benefitted from the Combine as he seems to be moving into the top-10 of some mock drafts while Ament remains as a potential Lottery pick.

"Nate Ament figures to land somewhere in the late-lottery or teens with a mix of perceived high-upside traits (positional size, shotmaking, defensive tools) and stats that make teams question his efficiency," Wasserman wrote on Ament. Ament would be someone for the Nets to consider if they end up moving back in the draft, given that Wasserman and O'Connor have him being taken somewhere between the late Lottery and early teens. Ultimately, plenty of news will come out regarding the Nets and which way they're leaning prior to Jun.