​  The Brooklyn Nets selected an NBA-record five first-round draft picks last year but didn’t have much to show for their investment, winning just 26 games in 2025-26.They hope this year’s No. 6 overall pick Mikel Brown Jr. can help change the trajectory of the franchise.The Nets, who were the only team in the Atlantic Division to finish last season without a winning record, took a chance on the Louisville scoring guard in Tuesday night’s draft in the hopes he can be the breakout player who’ll ignite a struggling franchise.The Nets also added a pair of 6-foot-8 forwards, selecting Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson with the 28th pick and UCLA’s Tyler Bilodeau in the second round.Brown averaged 18.2 points and 4.1 assists last season for the Cardinals and was one of the best players in the Atlantic Coast Conference when able to play.However, he struggled with back injuries and did not play in the ACC Tournament or NCAA Tournament, leading to questions about his durability.He said he relied heavily on his family, teammates and the Louisville coaching staff to keep him sane during a tough period because he desperately wanted to be on the floor.“I feel better than ever now,” Brown said.Needs: Outside shooting was a major sore spot for the Raptors this season after finishing fifth-worst in the NBA in made 3-pointers during the regular season and fifth-worst among postseason teams, losing at Cleveland in Game 7 of their first-round series.Who they drafted: Santa Clara forward Allen Graves, the West Coast Conference Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year, at No. 19. Graves, who turns 20 next month, averaged 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 41.3% from 3-point range. He was one of two Division I freshmen to score at least 400 points while collecting at least 200 rebounds and 50 steals. The other was third-overall pick Cameron Boozer. The Raptors added guard Jaden Bradley from Arizona with the 50th overall pick.NBA comparison: Graves shares some characteristics with new teammate Collin Murray-Boyles, who had a strong rookie season after being selected ninth in the 2025 draft — both pile up rebounds and steals while boasting a soft touch around the rim. If Graves can shoot the 3 in the pros the way he did at Santa Clara, he could evolve into more of a Robert Covington-type for Toronto.Needs: Mike Gansey entered his first draft as new team president of basketball operations leading a team that needed a big, physical wing player or a center to play the minutes needed when Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond are out. The Sixers are a smaller team with All-Star Tyrese Maxey and last season’s No. 3 pick V.J. Edgecombe in the backcourt.Who they drafted: Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. at No. 22 overall. The slender 6-3, 176-pound sophomore thrived as a scorer (22.0) and a playmaker (5.0) as a third-team AP All-American, mak      ​Read More