Brooklyn Nets News

STACKED SATURDAY SLATE! 🏀 Knicks/76ers rematch in Abu Dhabi 🏀 Nets host Hapoel Jerusalem B.C. 🏀 Magic, Heat face off in Puerto Rico 🏀 Wolves, Nuggets battle in San Diego 🏀 Pelicans take on South East Melbourne Phoenix in the NBA Melbourne Series Preseason action tips off at 11am/et on NBA TV and NBA League Pass 🍿

It’s just so easy to get another team to say, “yes Nets take my pick in 2026, please.” The 2025 draft was dominated by three teams (led by Nets) so there are a lot of teams in 2026 who don’t want to miss out on another great Draft. How many 2026 firsts were traded this summer?

The Suns have hired longtime NBA executive Ed Stefanski as a front office adviser, league sources tell @TheSteinLine. Stefanski joins former MVP guard Steve Nash as a recent Suns addition in an advisory capacity after stints with the Nets, 76ers, Raptors, Grizzlies and Pistons.

I’ve noted tanking this year appears smarter than in most years because currently there are 4 or 5 picks who are seen as Flagg-level per draftniks. Might not be as deep as this year. Nets currently have a first, their own, and 2 seconds. Will try to add another first at deadline.

Let’s look at #2 picks in last 25 years. Among them many busts: James Wiseman, Marvin Bagley III, Jay Williams, Derrick Williams, Darko Milicic, Hassan Thabeet, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. You have to trust your scouts and Nets have a good record … and just hired OKC’s chief scout.

Yes, Nets had five of them this year. Went with quantity after luck of lottery forced them to accept they might not get quality aka top pick. Again, what matters now is how they play not where they were taken. With PGs notoriously slow to develop, might not know for a while.

I reveal many things (including that I do wear Nets gear around the house.)

Drake Powell will not play in the #Nets preseason opener tomorrow, but is expected to debut in one of the two ensuing games in Macao. Jordi Fernandez was noncommittal on Egor Demin, but said the lottery pick was "progressing well." #NBA

Asked Jordi Fernandez about Danny Wolf's unique skill set and the processing of developing unorthodox big men: “I think that you have to be creative with players that are uncommon. I was very fortunate to work with Nikola [Jokic], and we had to let him show us what he was able to do. Otherwise, if you see him as a traditional player, then you could fail, and I think that’s what Coach Malone did very well. Nikola showed certain things that were so different for his position and a seven-footer, and that’s why he makes all these plays and plays in situations and positions where no other big man plays.”

The logo says “Brooklyn New York” and the Nets and Liberty co-sponsor citywide programs for tens of thousands of NYC kids, things like basketball clinics, art programs, etc.

Asked Jordi Fernandez about Danny Wolf's unique skill set and the processing of developing unorthodox big men: “I think that you have to be creative with players that are uncommon. I was very fortunate to work with Nikola [Jokic], and we had to let him show us what he was able to do. Otherwise, if you see him as a traditional player, then you could fail, and I think that’s what Coach Malone did very well. Nikola showed certain things that were so different for his position and a seven-footer, and that’s why he makes all these plays and plays in situations and positions where no other big man plays.”

Danny Wolf on focusing through potential protests: "Its keeping the main thing, the main thing. I only can control what I can control & I dont have any say or thought as to whats going to happen outside of the game. I'll leave that to be & focus on the game as best I can.” #Nets

Danny Wolf said he got to play the four a lot during Brooklyn's open runs this summer, but he's spent more time at the five during training camp. Added that he trusts Brooklyn's development plan, wants to learn as much as he can, and will do whatever is asked of him.

Drake Powell will not play in the Nets’ preseason opener tomorrow. He’ll make his debut next weekend during one of Brooklyn’s games in China.

One thing you can count on at deadline: Nets prioritizing another first rounder in 2026 Draft. Whether they succeed or not is another issue but should be easier than in off-season when few wanted to part with one. Nets currently have one first, their own, and two seconds in 2026

Brooklyn Nets preseason game vs Hapoel Jerusalem Saturday will be broadcast live in China as buildup for NBA China Games intensify.

Nets off-season: -made 5 first round picks; -added 2 firsts, one in 2025, one in 2032, in salary dumps; -added 3 seconds, 1 in dump, 2 in trade of 2025 second; -added 4 players in dumps; -signed 2 free agents: a two-way and an Exhibit 10; - retained $15M in cap space.

Specifically, the Nets got in on 3-team Porzingis deal involving Hawks and Celtics. Nets took on Terance Mann and his 3-year $47M contract and paid Hawks $1.1M in cash for #22 pick. (Nets later paid Hawks $110K for Kobe Bufkin in another salary dump.)

There is no - nor has there ever been - Nets interest in Kuminga

Nets open preseason Saturday!!!

It’s about perception. Of Nets 5 firsts, 4 were taken higher than consensus: Demin went 8 spots higher than ESPN mock. Traore 3, Saraf 5, Powell 10. Wolf was the reverse. He went 9 spots lower. Won’t know for a while, maybe a year or two, whether Nets or draftniks were right.

The Long Island #Nets acquired the returning player rights to Hong Kong-born center David Muoka from the Windy City #Bulls for a first-round pick in the 2025 G League Draft and second-rounder in the 2026 G League Draft. #NBA

the reactions at the end are priceless 😂

Drake Powell has progressed to participating in the contact portion of Nets practice. No word yet on his availability for Saturday’s preseason opener. Egor Demin is still doing exclusively non-contact work.

Jordi Fernandez said Drake Powell has advanced to doing contact drills. His status for Saturday’s preseason opener is up in the air. #nets #nba