The Post’s Brian Lewis answers the biggest Nets questions, makes bold predictions, and picks the five biggest games of the 2026-27 season:
Starting 5
Can the Nets go right from tanking to trying?
Let’s be clear: This isn’t to suggest that the players didn’t play hard, or Jordi Fernández didn’t coach to win. If anything, Fernández coached to win more than some fans wanted over his first two tanking seasons. But now he’ll finally be unfettered in his third, no longer held back by the organizational mission of maximizing its lottery positioning. Still, unlike the Pacers — an NBA Finals participant that suffered a key injury and opted for a one-year tank — the Nets don’t have a loaded roster or winning DNA. Brooklyn can’t just flip a switch and contend. They’re young, inexperienced, and — in several positions — talent-starved.
What’s the endgame with Michael Porter Jr.?
Acquiring Porter (and Denver’s unprotected 2032 first-round pick) for Cam Johnson is a home run deal by any measure. The sweet-shooting small forward led Brooklyn in scoring last season, and could again. But Porter is on a $40.8 million expiring contract and still hasn’t signed an extension since becoming eligible for one on July 6. Is he a building block or asset? If Porter isn’t extended, he’s going to have his name bandied about in trade rumors right up until the Feb. 11 deadline. And if the Nets do move him, is it going to be for future assets? Or do they kick in draft picks of their own for an upgrade?
Just how good is rookie Mikel Brown Jr.?
As a Louisville freshman last season, Brown joined stars Steph Curry and Trae Young as the only college players since 2008 to have a 30 percent assist rate, 84 percent foul shooting, 35 percent free-throw rate, and high 3-point volume (over 14 attempts per 100 possessions). That rare intersection of elite passing, volume shooting, and on-ball juice teases a potential All-Star. But there are going to be turnovers and rookie growing pains. Brown is going to have to get bigger, stronger, hone his shot selection, and learn when to settle for safe rather than the high-risk home run pass. And he’s working his way back from an ankle injury that delayed his preseason debut.