The Brooklyn Nets are in the early phases of a rebuild following their inability to capitalize on the star-studded era featuring Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. Despite criticism regarding their performance during this period, the organization has garnered respect among NBA players. In a recent anonymous poll by The Athletic, 0.7% of the 137 participating players voted the Nets as the best organization in the league. For context, the Golden State Warriors topped the list with 21.9% of the votes. The Nets’ ranking places them alongside teams like the Atlanta Hawks and Denver Nuggets, indicating a perception that winning significantly influences players' views of a franchise.

While the Nets have yet to secure an NBA championship, their playoff appearances—24 times in total, including five in the last seven seasons—show a level of competitiveness that players still appreciate. This respect signals a belief in the team's potential moving forward, despite current challenges. The survey results illustrate that players often equate consistent losing with poor organizational quality, suggesting that rebuilding efforts will take time to reshape perceptions.