Brooklyn Nets Front Office Ranks Among NBA’s Worst Despite Major Rebuild Strategy

The Brooklyn Nets front office has received a brutal assessment from its peers. A new survey of league executives placed the organization near the bottom of the NBA. This ranking comes despite the team’s deliberate plan to accumulate future draft assets.

According to The Athletic, 36 executives were polled. The Nets did not rank in the top half of the league. This places them behind even other rebuilding teams with worse records.

Executives Favor Proven Winners Over Asset-Rich Rebuilders

The survey results highlighted a clear preference. Executives valued consistent winning and championship pedigree above all else. The top five front offices included the Celtics, Thunder, and Heat.

These are organizations with recent titles or deep playoff runs. The Nets, by contrast, are in the early stages of a multi-year rebuild. Their stockpile of 12 future first-round picks from 2026-2032 was not enough to impress voters.

Several other teams in the league’s basement received recognition. The Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets both got votes. The Nets did not, effectively ranking them outside the league’s top 20.

Scrutiny Follows Post-Superteam Era Decisions

The criticism stems from the aftermath of the Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving era. GM Sean Marks has faced scrutiny for the team’s direction. The Nets remained oddly competitive for too long before fully committing to a rebuild.

Their recent draft decisions have also drawn skepticism from personnel around the league. The team selected five rookies in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. This strategy is a clear bet on youth and development.

For the front office’s reputation to change, results must follow. The Nets need their young players to develop rapidly. Alternatively, they could use their treasure chest of picks to accelerate the timeline via trade.

The Brooklyn Nets front office now faces a clear mandate. Their massive collection of future assets must translate into tangible progress. Until it does, external respect from peers will likely remain elusive.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: Why is the Nets’ front office ranked so low?

The ranking is based on a survey of 36 league executives. They valued recent winning and championships over a team’s future draft assets. Brooklyn’s current rebuild phase worked against them.

Q2: How many draft picks do the Nets have?

The Nets control 12 potential first-round picks from 2026 through 2032. They own their own pick in all but two of those years, where they have swap rights instead.

Q3: Which teams were ranked highest?

The top five front offices were the Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, and Indiana Pacers. These teams are all in or near title contention.

Q4: Did any other bad teams get votes?

Yes. The Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets, who sit below Brooklyn in the standings, received votes from executives. This made the Nets’ omission more notable.

Q5: What was the main source for this news?

The information comes from a league executive survey conducted by The Athletic. The sports publication anonymously polled 36 front office officials across the NBA.