For the Nets, training camp this year is less about trimming the roster and more about charting a path forward. In his second season on the sidelines, head coach Jordi Fernández already has a foundation of competitiveness and culture to lean on.
The question now is whether that identity can translate into tangible progress.
The roster adds plenty of uncertainty. Five first-round picks arrive hungry for minutes, while veterans look to defend their place in the rotation. That dynamic sets up battles across nearly every position and leads to the bigger issue hanging over camp: how to balance player development with the push to win games.
Brooklyn knows the standard. Fernández demands defense, ball movement and buy-in. Training camp is where those values will be tested. Among storylines to watch, Cam Thomas and Michael Porter Jr. face pressure to grow beyond their scoring reputation, point guard minutes are up for grabs and at least one rookie will try to make himself too valuable to ignore.
Oddsmakers expect little, projecting just 20.5 wins, but the Nets view the stakes differently. This month is about continuing to shape habits, clarifying roles and reinforcing belief in a system they hope can carry the franchise forward.
PRESEASON SCHEDULE
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Oct. 4 | Hapoel “Bank Yahav” Jerusalem | Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY) |
| Friday, Oct. 10 | Phoenix Suns | The Venetian Arena (Macao) |
| Sunday, Oct. 12 | Phoenix Suns | The Venetian Arena (Macao) |
| Friday, Oct. 17 | Toronto Raptors | Scotiabank Arena (Toronto, CAN) |
TRAINING CAMP ROSTER
| Guards | Wings | Bigs | Two-way | Unofficial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cam Thomas Egor Demin Nolan Traoré Ben Saraf Kobe Bufkin Dariq Whitehead | Michael Porter Jr. Ziaire Williams Terance Mann Drake Powell Tyrese Martin Jalen Wilson Haywood Highsmith | Nic Claxton Noah Clowney Day’Ron Sharpe Drew Timme Danny Wolf | Tyson Etienne E.J. Liddell | Ricky Council IV Fanbo Zeng |
Note: NBA rules require teams to trim down to a maximum of 15 standard contracts and three two-way players before the regular season begins.
KEY STATS (2024-25)
| Category | Nets 2024–25 | NBA Rank (of 30) |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 105.1 | 29 |
| Opponent points per game | 112.2 | 11 |
| Offensive Rating | 108.6 | 27 |
| Defensive Rating | 115.8 | 23 |
| Net Rating | -7.0 | 26 |
| Rebounds per game | 41.3 | 29 |
| Offensive Rebounds per game | 9.5 | 28 |
| Defensive Rebounds per game | 31.8 | 29 |
| Assists per game | 24.6 | 24 |
| Turnovers per game | 13.7 | 21 |
| Opponent Turnovers forced | 15.0 | 8 |
| Steals per game | 7.2 | 20 |
| Blocks per game | 5.1 | 15 |
| Field Goal % | 45.2% | 25 |
| Three-Point % | 35.4% | 23 |
FIVE BURNING QUESTIONS
Can Cam Thomas secure his place in Brooklyn’s future?
Thomas has chosen to bet on himself. Rather than accepting two extension offers from Brooklyn, the 23-year-old guard signed a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer. That decision positions him to test unrestricted free agency in 2026.
Thomas sat out 57 games last season with a nagging hamstring injury, but when he was available, he put up the best numbers of his career. His scoring punch is undeniable, yet the questions remain just as sharp. More injuries, or another season of streaky efficiency, could undercut his value — especially with the Nets funneling minutes to a young backcourt they hope to develop.
Should everything break right, Thomas has the chance to prove he’s more than a scorer. A strong year could make him indispensable in Brooklyn or a coveted target elsewhere.
Can Brooklyn Make the Thomas–Porter Pairing Work?
When the Nets traded for Porter in July, the natural question was how he would fit next to Thomas, a guard who thrives with the ball in his hands. Both players know how to score and create problems for defenses, Thomas with his ability to attack at all three levels and Porter with his reliable outside shot (a career 40.6 percent from deep). Together, they have the potential to consistently stretch defenses and open the floor.
Last season, Brooklyn’s offense ranked near the bottom of the league in efficiency, so adding two proven scorers gives it a needed spark in both shot creation and spacing. And at ages 23 and 27, Thomas and Porter are still young enough to develop side by side, if the organization views them as long-term building blocks.
Fernández has built his reputation on defense, which makes the Thomas–Porter pairing a bit of a challenge. Neither is known for their work on that end, and both rely on having the ball to stay in rhythm offensively. That combination could make lineups featuring the two of them tricky. If they manage to click, Brooklyn might uncover one of the league’s more intriguing scoring duos.
Who among the rookies can step in and contribute immediately?
Brooklyn is heading into camp with an unusual challenge: developing five first-round picks at once. Demin, Traoré, Powell, Saraf and Wolf bring more youth than Fernández can realistically play, especially with four guards competing for similar minutes.
Young players need steady opportunities. Carving out roles for five rookies on a team that still wants to compete won’t be simple. Around the league, the expectation is modest. However, if two of them emerge as long-term contributors, the class will be seen as a win.
Fernández’s track record as a developer gives Brooklyn a chance. His emphasis on ball movement and versatility could help one or two rookies find a niche without disrupting the system. Early on, Demin and Powell appear to have the clearest path to minutes. Demin’s size, vision and shooting allow him to slide into multiple lineups, while Powell — despite missing Summer League with a knee issue — already has the defensive instincts to earn minutes on the wing even before his offense catches up.
The others may require more patience. Traoré and Saraf are creative guards but face a crowded backcourt. Wolf offers floor-spacing potential at 6-11, but projects more as a developmental piece. Early signs suggest that all five will need seasoning to handle the strength and pace of the NBA game.
Who starts at point guard?
Much like last season, the Nets have no clear answer at point guard. That competition could define success in 2025-26. Demin, Traoré and Saraf will all get their shot, while Fernández weighs development against stability.
Starting a rookie would signal that Brooklyn is prioritizing the rebuild. Relying instead on a veteran like Mann, who has shown he can steer the offense in stretches, could give the youngsters time to ease in. Bufkin will also have a chance to prove he can stay healthy and contribute.
Either path comes with consequences. Training camp should provide the first real clues about how bold the Nets plan to be.
How much patience will ownership and fans really show?
Brooklyn keeps preaching patience, but that message will be harder to sell if the losses stack up. Fans have already endured the superstar collapse and two straight years without the playoffs, and another season with little progress could push their tolerance to the limit.
The front office has staked its plan on development, but pressure to chase wins will only rise if energy at Barclays Center or within the fan base starts to dip. Soon enough, we’ll find out if the Nets are truly ready to weather the bumps of a full rebuild.
