The Brooklyn Nets closed out 2025 looking like a team on the rise. A 7-4 December record had fans hopeful, with the young roster flashing cohesion and promise.
But just a few weeks into the new year, that momentum has stalled - and stalled hard. A five-game losing streak has exposed some familiar flaws and raised new questions about the direction of this team.
Let’s break down the key takeaways from a Nets squad that’s suddenly searching for answers.
1. Brooklyn Can’t Close Games - And It’s Costing Them
Wednesday’s loss to the Pelicans was another chapter in a frustrating trend. The Nets didn’t roll over - they showed heart and fight.
But once again, they found themselves clawing back from a deficit rather than controlling the tempo. That’s becoming the norm, not the exception.
Outside of the overtime loss to Orlando, Brooklyn has been outscored in the fourth quarter in each of its recent defeats. That’s not just bad luck - it’s a sign of a team still learning how to finish.
With a roster leaning more toward youth than veteran savvy, the Nets are built to play with energy early. But when games tighten up late, that lack of experience shows.
This is a group that needs to build leads and hold them - not chase from behind.
2. The Rookie Class is Legit
If there’s a silver lining in this skid, it’s the performance of Brooklyn’s rookie class. Drake Powell continues to emerge as a two-way threat, dropping 16 points in New Orleans and showing he’s not afraid of the moment.
Nolan Traore, meanwhile, is quietly developing into a floor general. His passing vision is improving game by game - a trait that Nets insiders are starting to spotlight.
Danny Wolf is trending toward a nightly double-double threat, bringing size and presence in the paint. But the standout continues to be Egor Demin. He’s hit double figures in six of his last seven, and his perimeter shooting has become a stabilizing force on a team that desperately needs it.
This rookie group isn’t just filling minutes - they’re building a foundation. If GM Sean Marks can keep this core intact, Brooklyn might be planting the seeds of something special.
3. Jonathan Kuminga Rumors Could Shake Up the Roster
The trade winds are blowing, and Jonathan Kuminga’s name is swirling. The Warriors appear to be shopping the athletic forward, and the Nets have emerged as a potential landing spot.
The rumored deal? Kuminga for Michael Porter Jr.
That’s a big swing.
Porter has been Brooklyn’s leading scorer and one of the few consistent long-range threats. Sending him to Golden State would be a major shift - one that could reignite the Warriors’ playoff hopes while bringing the Nets a younger, more versatile forward in Kuminga.
It’s a move that would signal a continued investment in youth and athleticism. But it also means parting with a proven scorer. If the Nets pull the trigger, they’re betting big on long-term upside over short-term production.
4. The Three-Point Struggles Are Real
When the shots aren’t falling from deep, this team struggles - plain and simple. The Nets hit just 37% of their threes against the Pelicans, and that number feels generous compared to some recent outings.
Brooklyn’s offense leans heavily on perimeter shooting, but outside of Porter and Demin, there aren’t many reliable threats. That lack of spacing is shrinking the floor and making it harder for the offense to find rhythm. When the long ball isn’t dropping, the Nets don’t have a consistent Plan B.
Until more shooters step up - or the roster adds one - this team is going to live and die by the three. And lately, it’s been more of the latter.
5. Day’Ron Sharpe Deserves a Bigger Role
One bright spot in the frontcourt has been Day’Ron Sharpe. The 24-year-old center has quietly become one of Brooklyn’s most productive veterans. He posted a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double against Dallas, then followed it up with 15 points against New Orleans.
Sharpe brings toughness, rebounding, and a willingness to do the dirty work - all traits that this young roster needs. He’s earning the respect of his teammates, with some even calling him a starter in everything but name.
Head coach Jordi Fernandez might want to take that hint. With the team searching for consistency and leadership, expanding Sharpe’s role could be a smart next step.
The Bottom Line
Brooklyn’s five-game skid isn’t the end of the world - but it is a reality check. This team has talent, especially in its rookie class, but it’s still learning how to win. The inability to close games, the reliance on streaky shooting, and the potential roster shakeup with Kuminga all point to a franchise in transition.
The good news? There’s a foundation here.
The bad news? The growing pains are real - and they’re not going away overnight.