A recent analysis delves into the significant questions surrounding the Nets, offering bold predictions along with five key games to watch for the 2025-26 season.
Starting 5
Can the Nets elevate their tanking strategy?
The Nets embraced a tanking approach when they dealt Mikal Bridges prior to last season. With rookie head coach Jordi Fernandez surprising many with his performance and veteran point guard Dennis Schroder leading an unexpected victory, the team found success that turned out to be a double-edged sword. General manager Sean Marks hurried to send Schroder to Golden State right when he could, yet the Nets only ended up with the No. 6 seed in the lottery and No. 8 in the draft. This time, Marks took a different route. Instead of keeping veteran D’Angelo Russell, he teamed Fernandez with three young rookie point guards, hoping to secure a top-three lottery seed.
Is this Cam Thomas’ last season in Brooklyn?
Cam Thomas is not just the leading returning scorer for the team, he might also be the most talented player on the roster. With significant offensive skills and a dedicated fan base—many of whom still appreciate him even after Kyrie Irving’s exit—he carries a lot of weight on his shoulders. However, the 24-year-old shooting guard faces scrutiny as he could very well be playing his final season with the Nets. Last year, he led the team with an average of 24.0 points per game, but a series of hamstring injuries confined him to just 25 games. This summer, the Nets didn’t offer him a long-term deal as a restricted free agent. Instead, he accepted a qualifying offer of $5.99 million, a situation that often hints at an impending departure. If trends hold, this might be the end of Thomas’ time with the Nets.
How do they train five rookie players at once?
This season, the Nets stand out as the youngest team in the league, with an average age of just 23.7 years—a significant margin over other teams. They’ve demonstrated a commitment to youth, having amassed a record five first-round draft picks in June. The challenge lies in how they will develop their rookie lineup, which includes Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf, and Danny Wolf. Despite Fernandez’s solid reputation for player development, this is no easy feat for him or the franchise. The Nets have a history of leveraging the G League effectively, and it’s expected that most—if not all—of these rookies will spend time under the mentorship of Long Island coach Mfon Udofia.
