Ex-Nets stars must own full blame for team's implosion
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Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
5 takeaways from the Nets playing in the Las Vegas Summer League
The Brooklyn Nets were hoping to see which of the five players they selected in the 2025 NBA Draft would have impressive performances in the Las Vegas Summer League earlier this month. Brooklyn finished the event with a 1-4 record, but along the way, they were able to see what four of the five rookies looked like against some NBA competition. Forward Drake Powell, the 22nd overall pick in the Draft by the Nets, was unable to play in Las Vegas due to left knee tendinopathy, something that isn't considered to be serious. However, Powell was held out of action by Brooklyn to ensure that he didn't make the injury worse by playing in the summer league when the team will have time to evaluate him over the rest of the offseason. The Summer league is usually the chance for all 30 NBA teams to evaluate their younger players along with some veterans who are looking for a chance to solidify themselves within a team's rotation or be seen by another team. With that being said, here are five takeaways from the Nets playing in Las Vegas, including a player who showed what he could do in a featured role: Drew Timme Showed He Can Play While Timme showed that he can play last season in his limited amount of game at the NBA level, his time in Las Vegas displayed a different level of impact that Timme could have thanks to his footwork and ability to remain calm under pressure. Timme came away from the summer league averaging 25.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 55.4% from the field and 64.7% from the free-throw line. Egor Demin Can Shoot Demin, the eighth overall pick in the Draft and the first pick that the Nets made in the first round, came into the league with one of his biggest questions being his ability to play off the ball due to his poor shooting numbers. While Demin had serviceable numbers to the tune of 11.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, he also showed that he can be efficient playing off the ball as he shot 43.5% from three-point land on an impressive 7.7 attempts per contest. Nolan Traore Is Fast Traore was one of the four players that was able to play in Las Vegas, but his evaluation was always going to be tough because of his having to fit in with three other players that are used to having the ball in their hands. Traore had some tough moments when it came to shooting and taking care of the ball, but his speed with the ball is as advertised so it's plausible that everything else will fall into place as he gains more experience. Ben Saraf Is Interesting For someone like Saraf, his place in the NBA will be dependent on how well he can balance being a scorer and a passer given his unique ability to do both at fairly-high levels prior to the NBA. Saraf shot just 30.4% from the field over the course of his three games played in Las Vegas, but his confidence grew by the game and his skillset is reliant on him trusting his instincts and playing in a free-flowing manner. Danny Wolf Is Exciting Wolf was already one of the more interesting players coming into the summer league due to his ability to handle the basketball while standing at 6-foot-11 and 250 pounds. Similar to the rest of the rookies that played in Las Vegas, Wolf had his struggles with efficiency in multiple areas. However, Wolf still shot 40.0% from deep on 3.3 attempts per game and he showed that the stage of the NBA will not stop him from using his package of flashy passes and stepbacks that he used to elevate himself to first-round pick territory during his college career. This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: 5 takeaways from the Nets playing in the Las Vegas Summer League
USA Today
8 hours ago
- USA Today
5 takeaways from the Nets playing in the Las Vegas Summer League
The Brooklyn Nets were hoping to see which of the five players they selected in the 2025 NBA Draft would have impressive performances in the Las Vegas Summer League earlier this month. Brooklyn finished the event with a 1-4 record, but along the way, they were able to see what four of the five rookies looked like against some NBA competition. Forward Drake Powell, the 22nd overall pick in the Draft by the Nets, was unable to play in Las Vegas due to left knee tendinopathy, something that isn't considered to be serious. However, Powell was held out of action by Brooklyn to ensure that he didn't make the injury worse by playing in the summer league when the team will have time to evaluate him over the rest of the offseason. The Summer league is usually the chance for all 30 NBA teams to evaluate their younger players along with some veterans who are looking for a chance to solidify themselves within a team's rotation or be seen by another team. With that being said, here are five takeaways from the Nets playing in Las Vegas, including a player who showed what he could do in a featured role: Drew Timme Showed He Can Play While Timme showed that he can play last season in his limited amount of game at the NBA level, his time in Las Vegas displayed a different level of impact that Timme could have thanks to his footwork and ability to remain calm under pressure. Timme came away from the summer league averaging 25.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 55.4% from the field and 64.7% from the free-throw line. Egor Demin Can Shoot Demin, the eighth overall pick in the Draft and the first pick that the Nets made in the first round, came into the league with one of his biggest questions being his ability to play off the ball due to his poor shooting numbers. While Demin had serviceable numbers to the tune of 11.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, he also showed that he can be efficient playing off the ball as he shot 43.5% from three-point land on an impressive 7.7 attempts per contest. Nolan Traore Is Fast Traore was one of the four players that was able to play in Las Vegas, but his evaluation was always going to be tough because of his having to fit in with three other players that are used to having the ball in their hands. Traore had some tough moments when it came to shooting and taking care of the ball, but his speed with the ball is as advertised so it's plausible that everything else will fall into place as he gains more experience. Ben Saraf Is Interesting For someone like Saraf, his place in the NBA will be dependent on how well he can balance being a scorer and a passer given his unique ability to do both at fairly-high levels prior to the NBA. Saraf shot just 30.4% from the field over the course of his three games played in Las Vegas, but his confidence grew by the game and his skillset is reliant on him trusting his instincts and playing in a free-flowing manner. Danny Wolf Is Exciting Wolf was already one of the more interesting players coming into the summer league due to his ability to handle the basketball while standing at 6-foot-11 and 250 pounds. Similar to the rest of the rookies that played in Las Vegas, Wolf had his struggles with efficiency in multiple areas. However, Wolf still shot 40.0% from deep on 3.3 attempts per game and he showed that the stage of the NBA will not stop him from using his package of flashy passes and stepbacks that he used to elevate himself to first-round pick territory during his college career.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Cam Thomas Described As Empty Calories Ball Hog Amid Recent Contract Fiasco
Cam Thomas Described As Empty Calories Ball Hog Amid Recent Contract Fiasco originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas is one of the most capable offensive players in the league. As a restricted free agent, the 23-year-old is due for a massive contract extension with the Nets. Unfortunately for him, there has been little to no movement on this front, and reportedly, there's good reason for the delay. NBA insider Zach Lowe recently shed light on Thomas' situation with the Nets and provided an update on how the guard is perceived by others around the league. He said: "The consensus on Cam Thomas, if there is one, and he's got some fans, and he's got some mega-detractors - but the consensus is kind of like Empty Calories Ball Hog." This doesn't bode well for Thomas, who is hoping to carve out a career for himself in the NBA. As a gifted scorer, the 23-year-old is possibly the best offensive player on Brooklyn's roster. When also factoring in the recent addition of Michael Porter Jr., along with the performances of the Nets' rookies in Summer League, Brooklyn could field an intriguing team next season. But it seems like Thomas' unwillingness to pass the ball has been viewed as a bit of a negative factor in this regard. This was also reflected in his stats last season, as the guard put up impressive averages of 24.0 points, followed by an underwhelming 3.8 assists per game. Regardless, the guard has displayed a lot of upside with his scoring, something the Nets may consider investing in. But given the lack of demand for Thomas' skill set around the league, Brooklyn may use the opportunity to present the 23-year-old with a qualifying offer instead of offering a max extension. As things stand, the qualifying offer for the Nets guard stands at $12.1 million for the next season. If he is to accept this, he can play things out and enter unrestricted free agency next summer. Naturally, this would be frustrating for the 23-year-old, who responded with an indirect jab at the organization on social media recently. The other reason why the Nets will hesitate with re-signing Thomas will be his constant run-ins with injury, particularly his hamstring. Following his most recent injury in March during a game against the Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn has every reason to be concerned as well. The 23-year-old only played in 25 games last season, missing a large chunk of it in the process of recovering from other setbacks during the season. With the hamstring injury in March causing him to sit out the remainder of the season, the Nets front office has taken stock of the situation at hand. As things stand, there is no certainty that the Nets will offer an extension to Thomas. But should the guard return to the roster, Brooklyn would only see a marginal improvement to their roster. With very limited prospects for the upcoming season, it is far more likely for the Nets to be a lottery team again. In many ways, it could be possible for the team to get weaker as they pursue additional trades in the story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
