The Brooklyn Nets entered the 2026 California Classic with a 1-1 record after two games on Saturday and Sunday. They fell to the Sacramento Kings 79-76 in the opening contest, then rebounded with a decisive 89-69 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. While the outcomes carry little weight for the regular season, they provide a first glimpse at how the young roster is shaping up in a competitive summer environment.

Brooklyn’s lineups shifted noticeably between the two contests. Egor Dëmin, along with Drake Powell, Ben Saraf and Tyler Bilodeau, sat out the second game, while Mikel Brown Jr. and Danny Wolf have yet to appear in a Summer League matchup despite being on the roster. The rotating personnel underscores the coaching staff’s intent to evaluate depth and to give different prospects a chance to showcase their skills.

Dëmin’s lone appearance came against the Kings, where he logged 23 points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes. He was 2-for-8 from three-point range, but his efficiency inside the paint was striking, converting 6-of-7 attempts. In his rookie season, roughly three-quarters of his shots originated from beyond the arc, and he struggled to find rhythm in the lane. This Summer League outing highlighted a more assertive, downhill-driving approach that many anticipated for his second year.

The Nets’ backcourt picture is already taking shape. Dëmin is projected as a regular-season starter, and the primary reason for additional Summer League minutes is to see how he meshes with fellow guard Mikel Brown Jr. The broader context is a roster battle for two-way contracts and G-League spots, with each game offering coaches a low-stakes platform to assess who can contribute in the long run.

Looking ahead, the next round of Summer League contests will provide the first on-court look at Brown Jr. and Wolf, allowing the organization to gauge their readiness and potential fit alongside Dëmin. As the Nets continue to experiment with lineups, the focus will remain on identifying the players who can earn roles beyond the exhibition schedule and help shape the team’s future rotation.