As the Brooklyn Nets prepare for the 2025-26 season opener against the Charlotte Hornets, the team is still determining its plan at point guard. Rookies Egor Dëmin, Nolan Traore, and Ben Saraf are all competing for the starting role. Head coach Jordi Fernández has not announced a clear lineup and said he will base his decision on how each player performs in games and practices.
After practice on Sunday, Fernández said all three young guards have shown potential but still need to improve. He explained that playing time will depend on who can stay consistent and follow what the coaching staff asks of them. Fernández said the competition between the rookies is positive for the team because it pushes each player to work harder and helps them gain more experience.
During the Nets’ four preseason games, Saraf and Traore each started twice as the team rotated lineups. Dëmin, who was the highest draft pick among them, only played in the final preseason game. He had missed earlier games because of a plantar fascia tear that kept him out since the spring.
- Coach Jordi Fernández has not decided which of the Nets’ three rookie point guards — Egor Dëmin, Nolan Traore, or Ben Saraf — will start the season opener.
- Dëmin impressed in his preseason debut after recovering from a foot injury, while Traore and Saraf both showed potential but struggled with turnovers.
- Veteran forward Haywood Highsmith will miss at least eight weeks due to knee swelling, leaving the young Brooklyn roster short on leadership early in the season.
Egor Dëmin’s Return Sparks Interest On and Off the Court
In his first game back, Dëmin quickly made an impression. Against the Toronto Raptors on October 17, 2025, the 6-foot-8 guard scored 14 points, grabbed five rebounds, and recorded two turnovers in 19 minutes off the bench. His performance drew praise from Fernández.
“He did a great job. He looked composed. He helped us,” the coach said. “It’s good that you see the ball go in, but basketball is not just about seeing the ball go in. He made the simple play. We didn’t turn it over as much [with him]. He got his teammates involved, and he had very good positional defensive possessions, where he was the low man; he went vertical, and he protected the rim. Those things are very good to see at this point, but we’re going to ask him to keep getting better because we believe the sky is the limit for him and for the other two point guards, as well.”
Dëmin’s strong debut slightly influenced early betting activity. Sportsbooks adjusted lines for the Nets’ upcoming matchup against the Hornets, with most outlets — including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, PointsBet, and Caesars — listing Charlotte -4.5 as the consensus spread. The total points line has held between 225.5 and 226.5, while moneyline odds range from Brooklyn +150 to +175 and Charlotte -175 to -185.
Lines briefly moved to Hornets -5.5 early in the week before returning to -4.5, reflecting modest betting confidence in Brooklyn after Dëmin’s performance and Fernández’s positive comments.
Futures markets remain conservative. Across major sportsbooks, the Nets’ regular-season win total is set between 19.5 and 20.5, with FanDuel pricing the Under 19.5 at -118. Sports Illustrated and BetMGM list Brooklyn’s championship odds at +100000, and BetMGM gives the team approximately a 2.8% implied chance to reach the playoffs.
Dëmin has entered Rookie of the Year discussions as a long shot, listed between +4000 and +10000 depending on the sportsbook. His limited preseason action and undefined role contribute to the wide range of prices.
In the same preseason stretch, Saraf averaged 6.3 points and 5.5 assists in 20.3 minutes per game, while Traore recorded 4.5 points and 1.8 assists in 14.7 minutes. Together, they averaged 5.5 turnovers per game, highlighting areas of inexperience that align with the Nets’ cautious outlook in betting markets.
Despite the internal competition, Dëmin described a collaborative environment among the rookies. “Everybody is trying to get better and everybody is trying to help everybody to get better,” he said. “I think that’s where we’re going to be successful this year. In every practice, there’s going to be competition. It’s not about just me, Nolan, and Ben. It’s about everything. As soon as we step off the court, we’re best friends.”
Haywood Highsmith’s Knee Injury Alters the Team Outlook
The Nets’ roster plans were further affected by an injury to Haywood Highsmith. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the 6-foot-5 forward “recently experienced right knee swelling during his rehab from an August meniscectomy procedure.” His recovery program has been modified, and he will be re-evaluated in eight weeks.
Highsmith’s injury status led sportsbooks to maintain conservative projections for Brooklyn. His absence removes a veteran presence from a lineup that already leans heavily on young players. Betting trends indicate a slight movement toward the Under on the team’s win total and steady pricing in the playoff market.
Despite the setback, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Nets waived Kobe Bufkin, the 15th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, but retained Highsmith. Scotto said that the organization values his leadership and the guidance he provides to younger teammates.
Highsmith’s Leadership and Rookie Development Shape Betting Perspective
Highsmith joined the Nets after five seasons with the Miami Heat, where he gained experience within the organization’s structured culture. His presence has been considered important for guiding a roster that includes five first-round selections from the 2025 NBA Draft:
- Egor Dëmin (8th overall, BYU)
- Nolan Traore (19th overall, France)
- Drake Powell (22nd overall, North Carolina; acquired from Atlanta)
- Ben Saraf (26th overall, Israel)
- Danny Wolf (27th overall, Michigan)
Analytic models such as Dimers.com project Charlotte with a 65–68% win probability in the opener, consistent with the Hornets -4.5 spread. Expert predictions from multiple outlets, including FanDuel Research and Sportsbook Review, lean toward Brooklyn finishing below 20 wins, citing the team’s youth and roster changes as key factors.
