The Brooklyn Nets are playing the long game, and it all starts with the 2026 NBA Draft. After a busy offseason focused on stockpiling assets, the Nets are hoping Lady Luck smiles on them come May 10, when the Draft Lottery determines the order. If they land the No. 1 overall pick, a big decision awaits: should they use it on BYU forward AJ Dybantsa?

According to Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68, the choice isn't as clear-cut as it might seem. "Whoever gets it, it’s not an easy decision. Dybantsa has become the safe pick, but I would still think long and hard about taking Peterson as long as the background stuff checks out," Goodman shared on X, citing feedback from an NBA general manager. The GM added, "There are questions that he needs to answer," hinting that Dybantsa's status as the consensus top prospect isn't ironclad.

Right now, most draft analysts have Dybantsa penciled in as the No. 1 pick, but the race is far from over. Kansas guard Darryn Peterson and Duke forward Cameron Boozer could shake things up during the pre-draft process. Peterson needs to address injury concerns, while Boozer must prove his physical tools translate to the NBA. Dybantsa, meanwhile, appears to have the fewest red flags—but that doesn't mean he's a perfect fit for every team.

For the Nets, fit matters. In his scouting report for Bleacher Report, Jonathan Wasserman highlighted some weaknesses in Dybantsa's game: his defensive impact, three-point shooting consistency, and effectiveness in an off-ball role. These are areas that could give Brooklyn pause, especially as they build around a young core still finding its identity.

Still, the Nets are in asset-acquisition mode, focused on collecting as much talent as possible. Even if Dybantsa's flaws surface at the NBA Combine, taking him with the No. 1 pick remains a smart move. After all, the majority of draft experts still view him as the best prospect in the class. For a team like Brooklyn, hungry for a franchise cornerstone, that kind of potential is hard to pass up.