As the Brooklyn Nets walked away from the 2025 NBA Draft with five first-round selections and a clear organizational vision, one thing was obvious: this isn’t about immediate results. This draft wasn’t engineered to save the 2025–26 season. It was designed to build something better—smarter, deeper, and more sustainable—three years from now.
In today’s NBA, where teams often sacrifice long-term development for short-term relevance, Brooklyn is bucking the trend. General Manager Sean Marks and head coach Jordi Fernández are thinking bigger than this season’s win column. They’re building a core through culture, coaching, and commitment to youth. And after last season’s turbulence, it’s the right move.
Fernández, who took over late in the 2024–25 campaign, brought structure to a fractured team. While the Nets didn’t surge up the standings, they found direction. Players embraced defined roles, competed consistently, and bought into a more modern, fluid identity. Under Jordi, Brooklyn finally looked like a team with a plan.
And now? That plan is on full display. Five first-rounders. International versatility. Length. Basketball IQ. Positional flexibility. These aren’t just buzzwords—they’re blueprints.
Let’s break down the 2025 draft class and examine what each prospect brings to Brooklyn’s long-term future.
Pick No. 8 – Egor Demin (G/F, BYU / Russia)
6’9”, 190 lbs | Point Forward | Age: 19
A bold pick with high upside, Demin is a 6’9” playmaker with true point guard instincts in a forward’s body. After a developmental year at BYU and elite-level flashes in Europe, he’s seen as a long-term bet on versatility and vision.
Upside:
- Intriguing combination of size and passing ability.
- Natural facilitator—excellent in transition and PnR situations.
- Shows feel beyond his years with a patient, deliberate tempo.
Needs to Improve:
- Inconsistent shooting—must become a reliable catch-and-shoot threat.
- Needs to add strength and improve finishing through contact.
- Lateral quickness will be tested at the NBA level defensively.
Projection: Developmental starter by Year 3, potential offensive connector in a switch-heavy system.
Pick No. 19 – Nolan Traoré (PG, France)
6’4”, 185 lbs | Lead Guard | Age: 18
A confident, composed lead guard from France, Traoré already has experience playing against grown pros and was named the Basketball Champions League’s Best Young Player. He’s mature beyond his age, with legitimate two-way upside.
Upside:
- Shifty creator with high PnR IQ and strong command of tempo.
- Composed decision-maker; limits mistakes under pressure.
- Has the tools to become a standout point-of-attack defender.
Needs to Improve:
- Must add strength to hold up against elite guards.
- Jump shot is workable but still developing.
- Needs to finish better in traffic.
Projection: Backup PG in Year 1–2, with eventual starting upside as a cerebral, steady floor general.
Pick No. 22 – Drake Powell (G/F, North Carolina)
6’6”, 200 lbs | Athletic Wing | Age: 19
A defensive specialist with athletic tools and raw offensive talent, Powell was a McDonald’s All-American and brings a grinder mentality from his UNC days.
Upside:
- Defensive stopper with the quickness to guard 1–3.
- Excellent cutter and transition finisher.
- Projects as a high-level role player with elite effort.
Needs to Improve:
- Needs to develop a consistent jump shot—especially from the corners.
- Hesitates offensively; must become more assertive.
- Limited self-creation ability in the halfcourt.
Projection: 3-and-D role player, potential defensive ace and second-unit energizer.
Pick No. 26 – Ben Saraf (G/F, Ratiopharm Ulm / Israel)
6’6”, 200 lbs | Combo Guard | Age: 19
Saraf is a left-handed scorer with craft, confidence, and international seasoning. While not a flashy name, his scoring tools are real.
Upside:
- Three-level scorer with good footwork and ball skills.
- Moves well off the ball; understands spacing and flow.
- Experienced beyond his age thanks to early pro reps.
Needs to Improve:
- Limited burst; needs to compensate with change of pace.
- Turnover-prone against elite defenders.
- Inconsistent defensive motor.
Projection: Microwave scorer off the bench; could evolve into a Sixth Man candidate if his offensive polish grows.
Pccick No. 27 – Danny Wolf (F/C, Yale)
7’0”, 240 lbs | Stretch Big | Age: 21
The most NBA-ready pick of the group, Wolf is a rare Ivy League big man with modern tools—shooting, passing, and smart rotations.
Upside:
- True stretch-five with fluid mechanics and offensive IQ.
- Excellent passer from the elbows and high post.
- Plays within himself, rarely makes bad decisions.
Needs to Improve:
- Struggles in space defensively.
- Not a rim protector or elite athlete.
- Needs to bulk up to handle NBA bigs physically.
Projection: G League-heavy rookie year, but could earn early call-ups. Long-term floor-spacing big with second-unit value.
The Bigger Picture
The Nets could’ve used some of their draft capital to move up, trade for veterans, or chase quick fixes. They didn’t. Instead, they leaned all the way into the rebuild. They trusted the board. They prioritized character, development, and fit.
There will be growing pains. Not all five picks will pan out. But Brooklyn now has a nucleus of high-IQ, versatile talent that fits Jordi Fernández’s vision. With Cam Thomas still ascending and the potential for cap space in future offseasons, the Nets have positioned themselves for a more organic rise—not a gimmicky rebuild, but one rooted in work.
Brooklyn isn’t chasing a quick splash. They’re building a core, brick by brick.
And if you’re a Nets fan? That’s exactly the kind of patience worth preaching.
Let me know if you’d like a custom 1200×800 image to accompany this, or if we want to add a closing quote from Sean Marks or Jordi Fernández.
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