The Brooklyn Nets are nearing the end of their 2024-25 season and they will have a lot to think about following the season, especially what they will do for the 2025 NBA Draft. As it stands, Brooklyn will likely be relying on the 2026 NBA Draft to net them a player that the franchise can build around and it seems like there is one interesting player in their future.
In a 2026 mock draft by Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo of ESPN, the Nets are projected to take New Zealand Breakers forward Karim Lopez with the sixth overall pick in the draft. According to this mock from Givony and Woo, Brooklyn is expected to miss out on guard Darryn Peterson, forward AJ Dybantsa, and forward Cameron Boozer, the son of former NBA player Carlos Boozer.
Lopez, 17, hails from Mexico, but is currently a member of the Breakers as part of the NBL's Next Stars program that has churned out players like Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey, Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr, and Wizards guard AJ Johnson. Lopez is coming off a season in which he averaged 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 45.5% from the field and 30.4% from three-point land.
"His numbers don't tell the story, averaging 8.9 points and 4.3 rebounds. His youth and flashes of potential make him such an interesting prospect. As the NBA continues to favor lengthy wings, the 6-foot-8 wing will keep developing," Tyler Rourke of High School on SI wrote. Lopez, standing at 210 pounds, will be someone worth keeping an eye on, especially given the recent success of players coming to the NBA from the NBL.
"Lopez' length and athleticism is highlighted by his ability to thrive in the open floor and defend multiple positions," the NBL wrote as part of Lopez's bio. The 2026 NBA Draft is a long time from now as the Nets still have to figure out the players they will be taking in the 2025 Draft, but given that this rebuild will be longer than one year, keeping an eye on someone like Lopez for the 2026 draft class will be worth it.
It's early, but the Nets are projected to take New Zealand Breakers forward Karim Lopez with the 7th overall pick in ESPN's 2026 NBA mock draft. Lopez, standing at 6-foot-8 and 210 pounds, is considered one of the best forwards in the 2026 draft class.https://t.co/dsdtJ5fUaK
— Sharif Phillips-Keaton (@SharifKeaton) April 1, 2025
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire:
Topics in this Story
