The Brooklyn Nets officially tip off their 2026 Summer League schedule Saturday against the Sacramento Kings, with several players set to make their professional debuts. Here's everything you need to know before the California Classic opener in Sacramento.
The Brooklyn Nets officially begin their 2026 Summer League schedule on Saturday afternoon when they take on the Sacramento Kings in their California Classic opener at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.
Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET, with the game available to stream on Prime Video, ESPN+, NBA TV, NBA League Pass, and the Gotham Sports App.
Although Summer League action began Friday, July 3, this marks the first game for both Brooklyn and Sacramento as each team gets its first look at its young talent in a game setting.
Brooklyn is expected to start Ben Saraf, Egor Demin, Drake Powell, Danny Wolf, and Chaney Johnson as the Nets open Summer League play in Sacramento.
Sacramento's projected starting five features Darius Acuff Jr., Emanuel Sharp, Nique Clifford, Jonathan Mogbo, and Dylan Cardwell.
Saturday's matchup will mark the professional debuts for several members of Brooklyn's roster. First-round pick Mikel Brown Jr. and second-round pick Tyler Bilodeau are both set to make their professional debuts after being selected in last month's NBA Draft.
The game will also serve as the professional debuts for Dion Brown, Ben Humrichous, and Duke Brennan. Brown and Humrichous signed Exhibit 10 contracts with Brooklyn after going undrafted, while Brennan joins the Summer League roster after spending his final collegiate season at Villanova.
Saturday's opener will also feature an intriguing matchup between two of the top guards selected in last month's NBA Draft. Brooklyn's Mikel Brown Jr., the No. 6 overall pick, will go head-to-head with Sacramento's Darius Acuff Jr., who was selected one pick later at No. 7. Leading up to the draft, many fans debated whether the Nets should select Brown or Acuff, making their first head-to-head matchup as professionals an early storyline to watch.
While Brooklyn's newest additions will receive plenty of attention, the California Classic also gives several returning young players valuable developmental minutes. Egor Demin, Drake Powell, Danny Wolf, and Ben Saraf, four of the Nets' five first-round picks from the 2025 NBA Draft, are expected to continue building chemistry and preparing for their second NBA seasons.
Nolan Traoré, the fifth member of that first-round class, will not suit up after recently undergoing a minor arthroscopic procedure on his knee, with the Nets holding him out as he continues his recovery. Additionally, 2026 first-round pick Joshua Jefferson will not play in the California Classic because the three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls cannot become official until July 6. However, he is expected to be available when Brooklyn opens the NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas on July 10.
Summer League serves as an important evaluation period for every player on the roster, giving the coaching staff its first extended look at Brooklyn's newest draft picks while also allowing undrafted free agents and training camp hopefuls to compete for future opportunities within the organization.
The California Classic will also be the first chance for fans to see how Brooklyn's young core fits together on the floor. With multiple ball handlers, versatile wings, and frontcourt playmakers expected to share the court, Saturday's opener should offer an early glimpse into the team's long-term development.
The Nets will play three games in the California Classic before traveling to Las Vegas for the NBA 2K26 Summer League later this month, where the competition will continue against the league's top young talent.
For now, all eyes turn to Sacramento as the Nets officially begin their 2026 Summer League campaign, offering fans a first look at both the franchise's newest additions and its developing young core.
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