Nets Focus on Young Talent Amid Season Struggles
As the Nets aim for the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, it’s equally important for them to nurture at least one of their younger draft picks to build a solid future.
In their recent 119-109 defeat to the Raptors, Egor Demin achieved a personal best, scoring 16 points on 5-of-11 shooting, also hitting 50 percent from three-point range.
Standing at 6-foot-9, the point guard contributed four rebounds and five assists in 28 minutes, marking a standout performance early in his career.
While the team’s fresh talent hasn’t significantly impacted their wins during this tough season, the No. 8 pick, Demin, has consistently emerged as a positive force over the first 11 games, looking like a promising cornerstone for the future.
Post-game, coach Jordi Fernandes recognized Demin’s potential. He acknowledged that while Demin is fitting into the NBA, the challenge lies in helping him maintain his current growth.
“Of course, he needs to learn more. He has to develop his defense and be proactive rather than reactive,” Fernandes noted. “I think improving his communication and game strategy will be essential. He’s a clever player, and we’ll keep pushing him to evolve. I’m genuinely pleased with his progress so far.”
Demin made his third straight start that night, stepping in for Cam Thomas, who is sidelined for three to four weeks due to a hamstring issue.
In the last three games, the 19-year-old from Russia has averaged 11.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, five assists, and only 1.7 turnovers in about 25 minutes per game, shooting nearly 48 percent overall and close to 47 percent from deep.
This extra playing time has helped Demin adjust to the pace and physicality of the NBA, as it’s quite a jump from his time at BYU.
Reflecting on his transition, Demin said, “Everything comes with experience. It’s important to get used to things I’ve never faced before—like the pick-and-roll, the intensity, different defenses… and the ball pressure. Some people have tried to capitalize on my mistakes, but I’m definitely starting to adapt.”
He has become more adept with the pick-and-roll plays set up for him, increasingly driving to the basket, which was a key focus for his coaches. Initially, in his first four games, he hadn’t taken any shots inside the arc. Recently, his game has improved significantly.
Against the Raptors, he executed three attempts within the paint, including an important drive after a pick from Nic Claxton that helped the Nets take an early lead.
“I’m finding my rhythm with pick-and-roll opportunities,” Demin explained. “I’m feeling more confident and taking on a more aggressive and physical approach with each game.”
Claxton pointed out that Demin missed substantial pre-season time due to an injury, which put him at a disadvantage, but added that he’s motivated and eager to improve. “He’s still on the learning curve, but he’s making notable progress,” Claxton observed. “We communicate openly, and we’re figuring it out together.”
It’s clear to the Nets that Demin is responsive to coaching. The early indications of this rookie’s capabilities are encouraging, making it crucial for the Nets to harness this potential as they look ahead.
