The Brooklyn Nets are back at the top of the NBA’s age chart, even after adding some veteran muscle this offseason.
A new roster-age study from RotoWire pegs Brooklyn at an average age of 24.31 entering the 2026-27 season, the lowest mark in the league. The Chicago Bulls are next at 24.52, with the Oklahoma City Thunder close behind at 24.84.
That’s a jump from last season, when the Nets were also the league’s youngest team at 23.36. So yes, Brooklyn got older - but not enough to give up its title as the NBA’s youth movement.
The reason is obvious when you look at the roster. Ten Nets are entering either their first or second NBA season: Mikel Brown Jr., Joshua Jefferson, Tyler Bilodeau, Egor Demin, Ben Saraf, Drake Powell, Nolan Traore, Danny Wolf Grant Nelson, and Chaney Johnson.
That kind of group gives Brooklyn a ton of upside, but it also comes with the usual growing pains. There’s no shortcut for players who are still learning how to survive an NBA season, and the Nets are going to live with that reality.
At the same time, the team has made sure the young core won’t be asked to carry everything alone. Veterans like Julius Randle, Keon Ellis and Mo Wagner have pushed the roster’s average age up, while Michael Porter Jr. also adds another layer of experience around the younger pieces.
For a team coming off an 18-win season, that mix matters. Brooklyn has the chance to give meaningful minutes to players who are still finding their footing, and that could make the development picture look very different by season’s end.
There’s value in letting young players learn on the job, especially when they can do it alongside veterans who have already been through the league’s highs and lows. That’s the lane Brooklyn is in now, with Demin, Saraf, Brown and Wolf among the players set to get those chances.
Still, the risks are built in. Young teams tend to swing from promising to messy, sometimes in the same week. Roles won’t be settled right away, and not every first- or second-year player is going to move at the same speed.
Even so, the Nets’ roster stands out because it isn’t just a pile of prospects anymore. Brooklyn has added enough experience to support the kids, but the numbers still tell the story: the Nets remain the NBA’s youngest team, and they’ll open 2026-27 in the exact same spot they finished last season.
In Other News...
Egor Demin Is Giving The Nets A Reason To Watch Closely
Egor Demin has already given the Nets a little something to monitor as the season takes shape, and it starts with the way he talks about his role. The young guard-forward has made clear he wants to help in whatever way the team needs, whether that means handling the ball or working alongside another creator, and he has framed his approach around winning rather than chasing numbers. For a Brooklyn group still sorting through its long-term pieces, that kind of flexibility is exactly the sort of trait that can make a prospect stand out.
Coach Jordi Fernndez has noticed the progress, too, pointing to how much Demin has improved since last year and how his voice is starting to carry more weight. That matters for a Nets team looking for players who can grow into bigger responsibilities without needing everything scripted for them. Demin is not the only young player around the league drawing attention for versatility, but in Brooklyn, his development has started to feel like one of the more relevant storylines to keep an eye on. [Read more 🡒]
Nets Fans Are Still Waiting For The First Real Mikel Brown Jr. Look
Mikel Brown Jr. arrived in Brooklyn with the kind of profile that usually gets a fan base dreaming quickly. The No. 6 pick has already drawn praise inside the organization for his leadership and the way he plays, and the Nets see him as a point guard who can help organize the offense with both scoring and passing. He has also been grinding through a demanding daily routine as he works to add the strength needed for NBA contact, a reminder that even top picks often need time before the league fully reveals them.
For now, though, Nets fans are still waiting for their first real look at him in game action. Brown Jr. has been recovering from a rolled ankle, and his participation in the upcoming preseason game is uncertain, which leaves his debut on hold a little longer than anyone around the team probably hoped. The anticipation is part of the process with a young guard like this, but Brooklyn would like to start seeing the shape of what it drafted, especially with preseason opportunities beginning to matter. [Read more 🡒]
Egor Demin Is Forcing A Real Nets Rotation Conversation
Egor Demin has spent Nets training camp and the early preseason making himself part of the conversation, and that alone is a meaningful step after an uneven rookie season. The young guard has shown more comfort, more versatility and a better feel for how Brooklyn wants to play, enough for the coaching staff to note real progress as he works to carve out a larger role.
For a team still sorting out its rotation, Demins growth adds another layer to the decisions ahead. Brooklyn is experimenting with different lineup combinations in the preseason as it looks for ways to maximize spacing and flexibility, and that kind of tinkering can open doors for players who keep stacking good days. The question now is whether Demins momentum holds once the games start to count and the Nets have to settle on who fits where. [Read more 🡒]