As the Brooklyn Nets near the quarter mark of the 2025-26 NBA season, the calendar is starting to heat up - and not just on the court. With 20 games in the books, teams around the league are beginning to assess where they stand: whether it’s time to push for contention, hunt for key roster upgrades, or lean into a rebuild. And with December 15 looming - the unofficial start of NBA trade season - front offices across the league are about to get busy.
But it’s not just the NBA that’s entering a pivotal stretch. The WNBA’s contract talks are also approaching a critical juncture, setting up a potentially transformative offseason for the women’s game.
Here’s a look at the key dates and storylines that matter most for the Nets and the broader basketball world as we head into a jam-packed winter.
December 1: Waiver Wire Reset
Starting today, the NBA’s waiver priority aligns with this season’s standings, not last year’s. That’s a subtle but important shift.
For the Nets, who currently sit third from the bottom, it means they now have the No. 3 spot in the waiver claim order - a notable jump from No. 6.
In a league where mid-season buyouts and surprise waivers can change a team’s trajectory, that positioning could be a valuable asset.
December 10: Jontay Porter Sentencing
The Jontay Porter saga continues, with sentencing set for December 10 at the U.S. Federal Courthouse in Brooklyn.
Porter pleaded guilty to sports gambling charges earlier this year, and the case has sent shockwaves through the basketball community. Expect Michael Porter Jr. - Jontay’s brother and now a Net - to be present.
And don’t be surprised if more information emerges from the broader investigation into gambling and poker-related scandals tied to the sport. The courthouse, located just a mile from Barclays Center, will be a focal point that week.
December 15: Trade Season Opens
This is the day circled on every GM’s calendar. Players who signed new deals early in the offseason become eligible to be traded.
Last year, the Nets wasted no time, flipping Dennis Schroder to Golden State and moving Dorian Finney-Smith shortly after - both for second-round picks. With the Nets holding significant cap flexibility and a few movable pieces, don’t be shocked if they’re active again right out of the gate.
December 16: Emirates Cup Championship (Las Vegas)
While not directly involving the Nets, the Emirates Cup Championship adds another layer to the basketball calendar, showcasing international talent and drawing scouts from around the globe.
December 19-22: G League Winter Showcase (Orlando, FL)
This is where the scouting world turns its full attention to the G League. All 31 teams gather for a high-stakes tournament that’s heavily scouted by NBA and international front offices.
For the Nets, it’s a chance to evaluate potential call-ups, two-way contract candidates, or even trade targets. With the Long Island Nets in the mix, Brooklyn’s brass will be watching closely.
December 21: World Basketball Day
A global celebration of the game, World Basketball Day is a reminder of how far-reaching the sport has become - and how much talent is developing across every level.
December 27: G League Regular Season Begins
The G League’s 36-game regular season kicks off, and for the Nets’ affiliate, it’s a chance to continue developing young talent and experiment with schemes that could eventually find their way to the NBA roster.
January 1: Kevin Durant Returns to Barclays
Circle this one. Kevin Durant, now with the Houston Rockets, makes his return to Brooklyn. Expect a mix of cheers and reflection as one of the most talented players in franchise history steps back onto the court where he once led the Nets into playoff battles.
January 5: 10-Day Contract Window Opens
Teams can begin signing players to 10-day contracts, provided they have an open roster spot. These short-term deals often serve as auditions, and with the Nets owning flexibility, they could be in play here.
January 8-10: Les Nets Debut in Quebec
The Long Island Nets rebrand as "Les Nets" for a two-game series in Laval, Quebec, against the Wisconsin Herd. It’s a unique branding move and a chance to connect with French-speaking fans north of the border.
January 10: Contract Guarantee Deadline
This is the day when all standard NBA contracts become fully guaranteed for the season. For Brooklyn, that applies to Tyrese Martin and Jalen Wilson. If any moves are coming to clear cap or roster space, they’ll likely happen before this date.
January 15: More Trade-Eligible Players
Seventeen players who re-signed with their teams under specific offseason conditions - including Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton - become trade-eligible. These clauses were designed to prevent teams from immediately flipping players after giving them a raise of 20% or more. Now, those restrictions lift, and the trade market gets even more interesting.
January 16: Nets on National TV
Brooklyn gets its second national TV spotlight of the season, hosting the Chicago Bulls on ESPN. For a team still defining its identity, this is a chance to show a national audience what they’re building.
January 20-24: NBA Rivals Week
Rivalries take center stage in one of the league’s most entertaining weeks. Whether it’s old grudges or new beefs, expect high-intensity matchups and playoff-like energy across the board.
January 29: MPJ Returns to Denver
Michael Porter Jr. heads back to Denver, the only team he’d ever played for before joining the Nets. Emotions will be high, and so will the stakes.
January 30: Egor Demin Returns to Utah
Egor Demin makes his return to Utah, where he played his college ball at BYU. It’s a full-circle moment for the young guard and a chance to showcase his growth.
February 5: NBA Trade Deadline
This is it. The final buzzer for teams to make moves before the postseason push.
The Nets enter the deadline with roughly $15.5 million in cap space - the most in the league. That gives them leverage, flexibility, and the potential to be a major player at the deadline.
February 8 & 10: Les Nets Back in Quebec
The Long Island Nets return to Laval for two more games, this time against the Noblesville Boom, the Pacers’ G League affiliate. It’s another opportunity to grow the brand and give Canadian fans a taste of high-level developmental basketball.
February 13-15: NBA All-Star Break (Los Angeles)
The league descends on LA for the 2026 All-Star festivities. For the Nets, it’s a midseason checkpoint - a time to reassess goals, rest key players, and prepare for the stretch run.
March 1: Waiver Deadline & Wilson Eligibility
March 1 marks two key deadlines: the last day for waived players to be playoff-eligible, and the date Jalen Wilson becomes eligible for a multi-year deal. If Brooklyn sees him as part of the long-term puzzle, this is the window to make that commitment.
March 4: Final Day for Two-Ways
Teams must finalize their two-way contracts by this date. The Nets currently have the only open two-way slot in the league - a valuable tool for adding depth or testing out a young prospect.
March 28 & 31: G League Season Ends, Playoffs Begin
The G League regular season wraps, and the postseason begins just days later. For Long Island - and any player hoping to make the jump - this is where reputations are made.
April 12-13: NBA Regular Season Ends, Playoff Rosters Set
The 2025-26 NBA regular season concludes with all 30 teams in action on April 12. The very next day, playoff rosters must be locked in by 3:00 p.m.
ET. For the Nets, whether they’re in the mix or playing spoiler, this is the final checkpoint before the postseason begins.
April 13: WNBA Draft
The Liberty hold just one pick - No. 41 in the third round - after trading away their first and second-round selections. But don’t sleep on the draft. It’s not just about prospects; it’s a prime time for trades and roster reshuffling across the W.
April 14-17: NBA Play-In Tournament
The SoFi Play-In Tournament returns, giving teams on the bubble a shot at the postseason. For those just outside the top six, it’s win-or-go-home time.
April 18: NBA Playoffs Begin
And just like that, the real season starts. For the Nets - and the rest of the league - everything from here on out is about legacy, matchups, and survival.
Bottom Line:
The Nets are entering a stretch where the calendar could shape their season - and maybe their future.
With trade season, contract deadlines, and player milestones all converging in the coming weeks, Brooklyn’s front office has a lot of decisions to make. Stay locked in.
The next few months are going to move fast.