RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 1 sourcesThe Brooklyn Nets have been spending the 2026 NBA offseason trying to improve the roster as much as possible following a 2025-26 season in which they finished with a lowly 20-62 record. Brooklyn's biggest move of the offseason was acquiring forward Julius Randle from the Minnesota Timberwolves via trade, but their projected starting lineup isn't regarded as impressive following LeBron James signing with the Philadelphia 76ers .
"The three-team trade that saw Nic Claxton go to the Chicago Bulls and Randle come over from the Minnesota Timberwolves will guarantee we see a new starting five in Brooklyn to begin the season," Greg Swartz wrote for Bleacher Report when discussing the Nets ' projected starting lineup. B/R ranked Brooklyn as having the 29th-best starting lineup in the league despite adding Randle via trade.
"Randle and Porter are the veterans of this team and have their spots guaranteed, unless either are traded before the season begins," Swartz continued. "Sharpe should take over the starting center duties for Claxton and averaged 11.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks on 59.3 percent shooting in his seven starts last year. Dёmin (6'8") and Brown (6'5") are both technically point guards, but have the size necessary to play next to each other."
For Swartz's analysis of the Nets, the projected starting lineup in question is Mikel Brown Jr., Egor Demin, Michael Porter Jr., Randle, and Day'Ron Sharpe. If Brooklyn was still able to keep Nic Claxton as the starting center with this lineup, it's possible that they would have ranked higher on this list, but the Nets sent him to the Chicago Bulls as part of the Randle trade.
Ultimately, Porter and Randle will do what they can to provide as much scoring and playmaking as possible for their teammates, but the potency of the unit will depend on Brown, Demin, and Sharpe's ability to exceed their current projections. Sharpe seems ready to be a starting center in the NBA, Demin looks poised to take a sophomore leap, and Brown looks promising based on his performance in the Las Vegas Summer League.
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.