During the 2023 trade deadline, the Brooklyn Nets conceded their current direction, moving Kevin Durant and bringing to a close an era that proved far more unusual, disappointing, and brief than anticipated. Since then, they`ve further reshaped their roster by trading away Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, acquired from the Phoenix Suns in the Durant deal, to amass a significant collection of draft picks. Now fully committed to a rebuilding phase, the Nets possess an NBA-high 32 draft picks over the next seven years, with their own 2026 first-round pick potentially being the most crucial asset.
The Nets might aim to contend again as early as the 2026-27 season, possessing the necessary assets to acquire new talent next summer, especially since they do not control their own 2027 first-round pick. For the current season, however, the strategy is clear: Brooklyn plans to heavily feature its young players, and the team is expected to finish near the bottom of the league standings. General Manager Sean Marks articulated the team`s definition of success at media day: “Success for us looks like, `How do we find, how do we determine who are the next Nets?`” Consequently, the five rookies drafted in June, the returning Cam Thomas (who accepted a qualifying offer after a protracted negotiation), the recently acquired Michael Porter Jr., and the rest of the squad will all be in an evaluative period during the 2025-26 season. The goal is for these players to demonstrate to the organization—or potential future teams—that even without team wins, they can be impactful individual contributors.
Current Status
Last Season: New head coach Jordi Fernández quickly garnered praise, as the Nets started 9-10 in his initial five weeks, showing a significant improvement in team morale. Players lauded the autonomy he granted them, while rival coaches commended him for leading a robust, physical, and disciplined team. Victories became scarcer after the trades of Dennis Schröder and Dorian Finney-Smith and a cautious stance on injury management. Nevertheless, even after dropping 21 of their final 26 contests, Brooklyn concluded the season with a 26-56 record, the sixth-worst in the league, granting them a modest 37.2% chance of securing a top-four draft pick.
The Offseason: The Nets secured the No. 8 overall pick, which they used to select 6-foot-9 playmaker Egor Dëmin. Their draft activity continued with 6-foot-4 playmaker Nolan Traore (No. 19), 6-foot-6 playmaker Ben Saraf (No. 26), and 6-foot-11 playmaker Danny Wolf (No. 27). They also picked up 3-and-D wing Drake Powell at No. 22, a pick obtained from the Hawks by taking on Terance Mann`s contract. In a trade involving Johnson, who was coming off a career-best year, for Porter, Brooklyn acquired the Nuggets` unprotected 2032 draft pick. Additionally, by taking Haywood Highsmith from the Heat, they gained Miami`s 2032 second-round pick. Day`Ron Sharpe and Ziaire Williams both returned on identical two-year, $12.5 million deals with a team option. Cam Thomas opted for a “bet on myself” approach by signing his qualifying offer, D`Angelo Russell departed for the Mavericks, and Keon Johnson was waived to make room for Kobe Bufkin, whom the Nets picked up.
Vegas Win Projection: 20.5, as set by BetMGM
The Outlook Debate
Nets Optimist: The Nets are executing the ideal strategy for a team in a rebuilding phase. They made an excellent coaching decision and have consistently pursued intelligent, forward-thinking moves. With numerous young players and a handful of veterans vying for playing time, the current situation echoes the early days of the Kenny Atkinson era. The key distinction now is that instead of being burdened by draft-pick debt, they`ve amassed an abundance of selections. Brooklyn`s future appears genuinely promising.
Nets Skeptic: Can we discuss the actual team set to play in Brooklyn this season? While the Nets may have gained good value in the Johnson-Porter trade, that return won`t materialize until 2032 unless the pick is moved sooner. Currently, it seems they might have already squandered a rebuilding season by falling to the No. 8 draft spot and making a questionable reach for Egor Dëmin. Furthermore, if they don`t get favorable lottery luck next time, it could become a significant disaster. Houston holds swap rights for their 2027 first-round pick, making this Brooklyn`s final independent opportunity. Forgive me for not being enthusiastic about a team seemingly incentivized to perform as poorly as possible.
Nets Optimist: If you`re going to criticize the Dëmin pick and the Nets` rebuild by focusing solely on worst-case outcomes, you should at least acknowledge the best-case scenarios. What if Dëmin, a remarkably skilled passer, develops into a more proficient shooter than expected and becomes a formidable downhill threat once he matures physically? (He`s not even 20 years old yet!) And what if Brooklyn secures Darryn Peterson in the upcoming June draft? Given how Jordi Fernández`s debut year progressed, I anticipate that this season`s team will play with grit, exhibit strong ball movement, and frustrate opponents with their aggressive physicality. Moreover, considering the significant flexibility and draft capital at the front office`s disposal, I don`t believe the 2027 pick swap is a major concern.
Nets Skeptic: It`s convenient to paint such a rosy picture when you`re envisioning a player like Peterson joining the team, rather than, say, Dash Daniels (or whoever the 2026 equivalent of Dëmin might be). But let`s focus on the actual roster for a moment: Are you confident the Nets will maintain their identity from last season with Porter replacing Johnson? Am I really expected to believe a starting lineup featuring both Porter and Cam Thomas will play a defense-first, unselfish brand of basketball? Please. We all recognize the Nets` current trajectory. They`re heading for a race to the bottom alongside teams like the Wizards and Jazz, and that`s an acceptable outcome! Just don`t try to convince me it`ll be entertaining to watch.
Nets Optimist: Should Kobe Bufkin thrive in Brooklyn, much like Spencer Dinwiddie and D`Angelo Russell did eight years prior, it would make for a compelling narrative. If Danny Wolf`s unconventional style successfully adapts to the NBA, that would be an incredibly entertaining development. (His college highlights are truly remarkable.) I can absolutely envision Nic Claxton recovering from his challenging, injury-plagued season; Cam Thomas continuing to refine his playmaking abilities; Drew Timme building on his strong summer league performance; and Noah Clowney evolving into a more consistent stretch-five or versatile big man. I`m aware you seem to dislike Dëmin for some reason, but I will always champion players who possess such creativity and court vision. So yes, I genuinely believe Nets basketball could be quite enjoyable this year! And if the initial starting lineup with Thomas and Porter isn`t conducive to “Nets basketball,” then Fernández will simply adjust it.
Nets Skeptic: Wow. Well, if either of those players ends up on the bench, I`ll certainly be keen to read the reactions! And to be clear, I have no animosity toward Dëmin. I believe he would have been an entirely acceptable pick for the Nets at No. 19. It`s not his fault he was chosen at No. 8, nor is it his fault that his immediate role on this team remains ambiguous. From his summer league performances, it`s evident he won`t immediately assume point guard duties, which is somewhat understandable given Brooklyn`s abundance of guards and his struggles with ball pressure. He`s in an awkward position as an unproven off-ball player, and the Nets currently possess an oddly structured roster. While there`s a plethora of secondary playmakers, I`m skeptical if anyone can consistently generate genuine advantages. If circumstances align perfectly, Brooklyn could indeed have a promising future, but this rebuilding journey also carries the risk of becoming exceedingly bleak.
