What happened: Sean Marks tied the timing to which youngsters take the next step, naming Egor Demin and Nolan Traore as early reads from Media Day on Sept. 28. He said the Brooklyn Nets will keep flexibility and keep listening on deals while evaluating the roster in camp.
Why it matters: Brooklyn made incremental gains without touching its picks and flexibility, preserving leverage for a star opening ahead of the 2026-27 season. The arrival of Julius Randle squeezes shots for Noah Clowney and shifts Josh Minott to a defensive disruptor role.
By the numbers: Clowney started 60 games last season. Mikel Brown Jr. is back on a limited basis with a left ankle injury while Traore and Grant Nelson are cleared for camp.
What to watch: Watch camp to see who plays above expectations and what star becomes available first.