The Brooklyn Nets’ four-game preseason slate won’t decide anything, but it should tell us plenty about where this rebuild is headed.
Brooklyn opens on Oct. 6 against the Charlotte Hornets, then comes home for its only preseason game at Barclays Center on Oct. 8 against the Philadelphia 76ers. After that, the Nets go to Washington to face the Wizards on Oct. 12 and close things out against the Miami Heat on Oct. 14.
For a team built around youth and upside, the real value here is in the minutes. Head coach Jordi Fernández will get an early chance to sort through his rotation, and that makes every game more than just a tune-up.
The backcourt is one of the first places to watch. Mikel Brown Jr. has been a major offseason talking point because of how his game fits Brooklyn’s long-term plans. He brings the kind of traditional point guard feel the Nets need, with the ability to organize an offense and steady things.
After a strong Summer League, Brown now gets his first shot to prove he can handle NBA veterans and push for real minutes on opening night.
Egor Dëmin is another guard worth tracking. The second-year player turned heads in Summer League and kept showing signs of growth as a secondary playmaker and a two-way presence. Brooklyn will use the preseason to figure out whether he’s ready for a bigger offensive load.
The frontcourt battle may be even tighter. Noah Clowney, Danny Wolf, Day'Ron Sharpe and the other young bigs will all be fighting for opportunities, and Fernández has made versatility a clear priority during the rebuild. That only raises the stakes for every preseason possession, especially with Julius Randle and Moritz Wagner now in the mix.
Health is part of the equation too. Nolan Traoré missed Summer League after a minor knee procedure, but reports say he should be ready for training camp. If he’s available, preseason will be his first chance to show why Brooklyn should keep him in the long-term picture.
There are also a few matchups that should draw attention. The Oct. 8 game against Philadelphia stands out as the one most likely to grab the spotlight, since it should be one of the first chances for Nets fans to see the revamped 76ers, led by LeBron James and Jaylen Brown.
Even if the stars don’t play heavy minutes, that one figures to bring plenty of eyes to Barclays Center.
The trip to Washington has its own appeal. The Wizards bring Anthony Davis and top prospect AJ Dybantsa, which gives Brooklyn’s young group a chance to see how it stacks up against elite size and athleticism.
Then comes the finale against a Miami Heat team led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, a final test before the games start counting for real.
That’s the bigger picture for Brooklyn. This preseason isn’t about wins and losses. It’s about building something that lasts, and the Nets have put themselves in position to make player development the priority as this season begins.
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