The Brooklyn Nets (16-47) will have good odds of landing a valuable pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, but before they add to their roster this summer, it would obviously benefit them to get a closer look at the young talent already on their roster. Unfortunately, the evaluation period has concluded for one player this season. Rookie guard Egor Demin will miss the rest of the 2025-26 campaign with increased plantar fasciitis in his left foot, per Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
All signs were indicating that the Nets would shut down the 20-year-old Russian after head coach Jordi Fernandez said there was no timetable for his return. Demin last played on Feb. 27 and ends his first NBA season averaging 10.3 points, 3.3 assists and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 39.9 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from 3-point land.
Considering Brooklyn selected him with the No. 8 overall pick, the 6-foot-8 talent is expected to be an important part of the franchise's future plans. In the present, however, he will focus on getting healthy and learning from the bench.
While this decision could improve the Nets' lottery chances — currently tied with Washington Wizards for third-worst record in NBA — it will come at the cost of Demin's further development during this campaign. His absence means that fans have even less reason to tune into a Brooklyn game before the fall.
Hopefully, he will come into next season fully healthy and be highly motivated to help the Nets take the next step in their rebuild. In the meantime, perhaps fellow rookie Danny Wolf and others will make the most of their opportunities.
