Much of the conversation surrounding the Brooklyn Nets’ 2026 NBA Draft plans has centered on the No. 6 pick. However, the Nets will have a chance to land another contributor later in the draft, holding picks Nos. 33 and 43. Egor Demin’s former BYU teammate, Richie Saunders, has been floated as a potential Brooklyn target, according to Jake Fischer.
“Several scouts have mentioned the possibility that BYU guard Richie Saunders could join his former Cougars teammate Egor Demin in Brooklyn with the Nets’ No. 33 pick. As long as Saunders doesn’t sneak into the first round of the draft somehow, expect him to be selected early during Round 2 next Wednesday,” Fischer wrote.
If healthy, Saunders has a strong case to be an immediate contributor for an NBA team.
Will Nets pair Egor Demin with former BYU teammate Richie Saunders?
The 6-foot-5 wing is one of the draft’s best shooters, converting 40.5 percent of 11.3 three-point attempts per 100 possessions over the last two seasons. He’s a high-IQ player who can attack closeouts and make sound decisions with the ball in his hands. And despite a limited athletic profile, he’s a capable defender, displaying a sound understanding of defensive concepts and playing with solid effort.
Saunder’s spot-up shooting would be a nice complement alongside the Nets’ rookie ball-handlers from last season and whoever they select at No. 6.
However, he’s one of the draft’s oldest prospects, turning 25 before his rookie season begins. Saunders is coming back from a torn ACL that he suffered in February. With the Nets in the early stages of a rebuild, they may prefer to take a swing on a younger prospect later in the draft.
Still, if available, Saunders offers an intriguing skill set that fits much of what Brooklyn has prioritized in past drafts. Saunders’ average position across seven outlets’ big boards (ClutchPoints, ESPN, The Athletic, No Ceilings, The Ringer, Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports) is 34.4, meaning the Nets may be able to land him at No. 33 without moving up.
The post Nets linked to Egor Demin’s former BYU teammate ahead of 2026 NBA Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints.
