What's at stake for Nets' 2025 NBA Draft class during 2026-27 season?

The Brooklyn Nets made a significant move during the 2025 NBA Draft, selecting five players in the first round as part of their efforts to rebuild the franchise. The standout out of the group, guard Egor Demin, was taken with the eighth overall pick in 2024. Demin showed promise in his rookie season before an injury sidelined him, but he made significant progress during a summer league appearance, according to ESPN's Zach Kram.

Following Demin, the Nets added guard Nolan Traore (19th overall), forward Drake Powell (22nd), guard Ben Saraf (26th), and Danny Wolf (27th). While the first-round picks have uncertain futures ahead, Kram wrote that the Nets likely knew they wouldn't hit on all five selections, with Demin being the only lottery pick. However, it would be beneficial to see at least one or two of the other players progress in their sophomore seasons, providing the team with more confidence in their long-term plans.

Demin stood out among the 2025 draft class, but other players like Traore and Wolf also showed glimpses of potential last season. Traore struggled initially but was eventually promoted to starting point guard under head coach Jordi Fernandez. Wolf spent time as a backup big, and could potentially return to that role this season.

As the 2026-27 season approaches, the focus in Brooklyn will shift to Powell and Saraf, both of whom faced difficulties against NBA competition last season. However, Fernandez will aim to give the young players ample playing time, providing an opportunity to assess which of the remaining four classmates will evolve into productive NBA players.