The NBA Draft is like a loaded canvas. Every year, 59 players enter the league, each with a chance to become something unforgettable. This year, the Brooklyn Nets hold not one, not two, but four first-round picks in a draft bursting with talent and potential. Less than a month away separates fans from what could be the most critical night for the franchise in years.
With so much draft capital on hand, Brooklyn finds itself at a crossroads. The stakes have never been higher. The choices made on draft night could lay the foundation for a team that’s spent years searching for stability and identity.
It’s a perfect moment, a moment to not only look ahead but also to glance back and appreciate the draft picks who actually shaped the Nets. Not just the ones with big names or flashy highlights, but the players who became cornerstones, who carried the franchise when everything else was uncertain.
3. Brook Lopez
Drafted tenth overall in 2008, Brook Lopez wasn’t an all-star from day one, but he was the definition of dependable. Over nine seasons, Lopez became the Nets’ all-time leading scorer with more than 10,000 points. He wasn’t the loudest voice in the room, but his smooth post moves and steady scoring gave Brooklyn a rare sense of continuity during years of struggles. Lopez’s time with the Nets proved that draft picks don’t always need fireworks to make a lasting impact; sometimes, quiet consistency is the hardest thing to find.
2. Derrick Coleman
The number one overall pick in 1990, Derrick Coleman, arrived with all the promise in the world and largely delivered. Rookie of the Year honors came quickly, and for five seasons, he averaged nearly 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. Coleman was a dominant force who helped lead the Nets to three straight playoff appearances, a feat that hadn’t been common for the franchise. While his journey wasn’t without bumps, Coleman’s talent and versatility helped define a Nets team that was finally competitive on its own terms.
1. Buck Williams
Drafted third overall in 1981, Buck Williams was the kind of player who made a team matter. A rebounding machine and a fierce defender. Williams was the heartbeat of the Nets for nearly a decade. His accolades, which include Rookie of the Year, three-time All-Star, and multiple All-Defensive Team selections, speak to a player who gave his all every night. In an era when the franchise struggled to find an identity, Williams was steady, reliable, and tough. His number 52 jersey hanging in the rafters is a testament to the foundation he built.
As Brooklyn prepares for the 2025 Draft, these players serve as reminders: drafting well isn’t about luck; it’s about vision, patience, and understanding what a team truly needs. With four first-round picks in hand, the Nets have their best chance in years to add to this legacy.
The question is: will they?