Brooklyn Nets' Young Backcourt to Lead to Varied Results in 2026-27
The Brooklyn Nets are set for another interesting season, with their young backcourt being the key to success. Last result: Toronto Raptors 136-101 Brooklyn Nets (2026-04-12). The team has been rebuilding over the past few years, and their backcourt could be the deciding factor in their postseason chances.
What happened?
The Nets have mostly been looking to stay at the bottom of the standings and tank their way to a high pick. However, their rebuild has featured some of their picks headed elsewhere, and an overall lack of lottery luck when they have kept their pick. Despite some of their misfortunes, the Nets have still landed on their feet, with Mikel Brown Jr. and Egor Demin to show for their struggles over the past two seasons.
Why it matters for Brooklyn Nets
Denim is certainly a wildcard in the league after his rookie season, showcasing a seemingly reliable outside shot while putting together some solid all-around play. Averaging 10.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists last season, Denim could become a real difference-maker for Brooklyn if he can build on his first year. Perhaps the most exciting thing about next season for Brooklyn will be the debut of Demin's backcourt mate, Mikel Brown Jr.
What comes next?
Using the sixth pick in this year's draft to select Brown, the former Louisville guard could be a pillar of the Nets' future. Playing alongside Demin, Brown will be looking to continue his stellar play from his time in college. In his lone year at Louisville, he averaged 18.2 points and 4.7 assists, making him a Rookie of the Year dark horse if he can keep up that production. However, relying on two young guards to lead the starting backcourt could have mixed results, especially considering the Nets' situation.
The Nets' situation at guard
Brooklyn will still be valuing development, but working through the rookie and sophomore mistakes of Demin and Brown could be costly to their postseason chances. The Nets' situation at guard also won't change much when those two are off the floor, as Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf should be headlining the team's backcourt depth in their second seasons. The talent should be enough to make Brooklyn's backcourt more than viable, but its youth could be a real issue if things start spiraling at any point in the season.
