Summary
The 2025 NBA Draft was the most important night of the Brooklyn Nets rebuild — and the results were mixed. Despite tanking for a top-3 pick, the Nets landed at #8 in the lottery, missing out on Cooper Flagg (#1 to Dallas), Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey. But the sheer volume of picks was unprecedented: Brooklyn used FIVE first-round selections, drafting an entire potential starting lineup in one night. Egor Demin (#8) emerged as the centerpiece — a 6'8" Russian point guard with franchise-player upside.
Key Insights
- Cooper Flagg went #1 overall to the Dallas Mavericks — the Nets' lottery luck failed them
- The Nets picked #8 despite having a bottom-3 record — one of the worst lottery outcomes possible
- Five first-round picks in one draft is unprecedented in modern NBA history
- Egor Demin (#8, BYU) is the centerpiece: 6'8" point guard averaging 10.3 PPG and 3.3 APG as a rookie
- Nolan Traore (#19, France) brings explosive athleticism at point guard
- The Rockets pick (#27) finally conveyed — Houston finished well enough that the top-4 protection didn't apply
Details
The Lottery Disappointment
The Nets finished with the 2nd-worst record in the NBA in 2024-25, giving them a 14% chance at the #1 pick. Instead, they fell to #8 — outside the elite tier of Flagg, Harper, and Bailey. This was a gut punch, but the depth of their pick haul softened the blow.
The Five Picks
Egor Demin (#8 overall, PG, 6'8", BYU)
The franchise bet. A Russian point guard who played one year at BYU, Demin has rare size for a lead guard with elite court vision. His 2025-26 rookie stats (10.3 PPG, 3.3 APG, 3.2 RPG) show flashes of a future All-Star. His 6'8" frame at point guard is Luka Doncic-adjacent in terms of physical profile.
Nolan Traore (#19 overall, PG, 6'3", Saint-Quentin, France)
The explosive athletic guard. Traore played professionally in France and brings electrifying speed and finishing ability. His rookie stats (8.5 PPG, 3.7 APG) suggest a future starting-caliber guard. The Nets now have two young point guards with very different profiles — Demin as the big playmaker, Traore as the speedy scorer.
Drake Powell (#22 overall, SG, 6'5", North Carolina)
The two-way wing. Powell is a defensive specialist from UNC who projects as a 3-and-D wing. His rookie numbers (6.0 PPG, 1.7 RPG) are modest but his defensive impact is already visible.
Ben Saraf (#26 overall, SG, 6'6", Israel/Ratiopharm Ulm)
The crafty international guard. Saraf played professionally in Germany and brings a polished scoring game. At 19, he's one of the youngest players in the draft class. Averaging 6.3 PPG with 3.1 APG as a rookie.
Danny Wolf (#27 overall, PF, 6'11", Michigan)
The stretch big. Wolf is a 6'11" forward with passing ability and outside shooting — a modern NBA big. He adds size to a guard-heavy draft class. Averaging 8.9 PPG and 4.9 RPG.
Pick Sources
| Pick | Source | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| #8 | Own pick | 2024-25 tank |
| #19 | Via Milwaukee (multi-team chain) | Routed through NYK, DET, POR, NOP |
| #22 | Via Atlanta (from LAL) | Originally Lakers' pick from Anthony Davis trade |
| #26 | New York Knicks | Kevin Durant Trade Tree (Bridges flip) |
| #27 | Houston Rockets | James Harden Trade (top-4 protection lifted) |
Related
Open Questions
- Can Egor Demin develop into a franchise player despite being picked #8, not top 3?
- Which of the five rookies will emerge as the best player?
- How do Demin and Traore coexist as two point guards in the same backcourt?
- Will any of the late first-rounders (Saraf, Wolf) outperform their draft position?