Brooklyn Nets are not supposed to win this season. They are building blocks for the future. The most obvious decision related to this is when they picked five rookies in the 2025 NBA Draft. Second year coach Jordi Fernandez is chief architect to build that future. How is he doing so far?
A legendary champion coach thinks he is doing a great job.
The Nets hosted the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday and Steve Kerr is not taking the game lightly even if New York team is less favored against them. Instead, he watched how their hosts beat a team like Minnesota Timberwolves.
He was left impressed about how the five rookies were inserted smoothly in the rotation and he credits Fernandez for these guys development.
Steve Kerr on the Nets’ strategy of bringing in five rookie first-round picks:
“It looks like it’s working. I watched the Minnesota game today. That was impressive… They’re doing a great job. Jordi and his staff are doing a great job with player development.” pic.twitter.com/3YfPm18Yz2
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) December 29, 2025
The five rookies in the Nets line up are Egor Dëmin (8th pick), Nolan Traoré (19th), Drake Powell (22nd), Ben Saraf (26th), and Danny Wolf (27th).
Their highest scoring rookie so far is Demin who averages 9.3 points in 24 minutes. He is also regarded as the most impressive in the crop.
Jordi Fernandez on what changed for them
The Nets are 6-4 in their last 10 and even went on a three-game winning streak before bowing to the Warriors.
The rookies are buying in on Fernandez’s system which he said puts emphasis on defense and needed a little adjustment in terms of personnel.
Jordi Fernandez on the key to the Nets’ defensive turnaround:
“I think positional size matters. Making the change to bring Noah [into the starting lineup] and slide Mike to the three, it really changed everything.” pic.twitter.com/ftv0OpK9n2
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) December 29, 2025
The teams they beat in that winning streak and no pushovers. They defeated those who are above .500 namely the Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
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