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Brooklyn Nets 2025-26 projected starting lineup, Cam Thomas’ potential final season will be with four rookies

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aaditya Krishnamurthy | Last updated Sep 9, 2025 6:00 PM ET

The Brooklyn Nets are set for what is the most important season in their franchise’s rebuild, with a whole new cast of characters.

After their superteam with Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden fell apart in catastrophic fashion, the Brooklyn Nets have focused on rebuilding their roster the last few years.

The Nets drafted four rookies with their first-round picks – Egor Demin at 10, Nolan Traore at 19, Ben Saraf at 26, and Danny Wolf at 27.

NBA executives mocked the Nets’ draft strategy, saying that there is no decent way for them to give four rookies the right amount of time to develop.

And after the Nets failed to sign Cam Thomas to a long-term deal, many believe that the young guard will play through this season and enter unrestricted free agency, only to leave in 2026.

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2025-26 Brooklyn Nets projected starting lineup

Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez will have a tall task on his hands to try and figure out his rotation next season. Luckily for him, there are no expectations for the Nets to win many games.

This is what the Nets’ starting lineup is likely to look like:

Starting Lineup	Second Unit
Egor Demin	Nolan Traore
Cam Thomas	Keon Johnson
Michael Porter Jr.	Terance Mann
Noah Clowney	Drew Timme
Nic Claxton	Danny Wolf

It’s very likely that the Nets try and trade Nic Claxton this summer, as he doesn’t align with their timeline anymore. In that situation, expect either Noah Clowney or Drew Timme to get the nod as starting center.

Egor Demin is the likeliest rookie to start for the Nets. However, should his 6’10 frame impress the Nets, he could be moved into a point forward type role, with either Nolan Traore or Keon Johnson being brought in at guard.

Cam Thomas has a no-trade clause after accepting his qualifying offer, so he is unlikely to be moved. Jordi Fernandez will probably trust him to be their starting shooting guard next season.

Jordi Fernandez takes team in younger direction

With the decision not to break the bank for Cam Thomas, the Brooklyn Nets have made it clear that they are on the hunt for their next franchise star.

While the Nets have high hopes for Egor Demin, they don’t see him as a top scorer in the NBA, which is crucial for anyone to be a franchise cornerstone these days.

And with how stacked the 2026 NBA Draft class, the Nets will want to get their hands on either AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson.

Expect the Nets to have yet another poor season in the win-loss column. For Sean Marks, the more important thing is that Jordi Fernandez starts moving on his project with the Nets.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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