The Nets enter training camp with development, competition, and winning all on the agenda. Sean Marks and Jordi Fernández shared their vision for the roster, veteran leadership, young player progression, and what could determine when Brooklyn is ready to make its next big move.
The Brooklyn Nets are heading into training camp with a young roster, a group of veteran additions, and plenty of competition for playing time.
That was the message from general manager Sean Marks and head coach Jordi Fernández on Monday as the Nets held their 2026 Media Day ahead of the start of training camp.
For Marks, the excitement comes from finally seeing how the pieces Brooklyn has assembled over the past few seasons begin to come together.
“I think this time of the year is always... a level of not necessarily anxiety, but you're excited to get into camp,” Marks said.
The Nets have spent the last two seasons giving significant playing time to their young players, and Marks believes those experiences have provided an important foundation for the group moving forward.
Brooklyn has also added veteran experience this offseason, bringing in Julius Randle, Keon Ellis and Mo Wagner. Marks emphasized that the veterans will not simply be handed minutes because of their experience.
Instead, the Nets want everyone competing for their opportunities.
“You want guys who are going to go out there and compete for minutes,” Marks said. “Nothing's going to be handed to these guys.”
That approach will be especially important for Fernández, who now has a roster featuring a mix of established veterans and developing young players.
Fernández said he is excited about the competition because he believes nearly everyone on the roster has a legitimate opportunity to contribute.
The Nets have drafted eight players over the past two years, and Fernández said the younger players no longer look like teenagers. They have gotten stronger, more experienced, and are now competing against veterans who have already established themselves in the NBA.
Fernández also made it clear that he does not want to decide playing time before seeing how the competition unfolds.
“I hope I have too many guys doing well so they make my job harder,” Fernández said.
That philosophy extends to the development of the team's younger players. Fernández acknowledged that coaches can make mistakes when deciding who deserves opportunities, but said players who consistently perform will eventually force their way onto the court.
One of the biggest questions surrounding Brooklyn this season will be how quickly its young players develop while the team also tries to take a step forward competitively.
Marks believes the two goals can coexist.
“You can win through development, and you can develop through winning,” he said.
Marks also discussed what the Nets need to see before making a major move to accelerate their timeline. He pointed to the development of the team's young players, along with the availability of potential opportunities elsewhere around the league.
Brooklyn intends to maintain flexibility rather than make an aggressive move simply for the sake of making one.
“We have to be careful not to skip steps,” Marks said.
Porter Jr. will be another major storyline throughout the season. After posting a career-best statistical season last year, Marks said the Nets want to see consistency from him, particularly defensively and on the boards.
The Nets also want their veteran additions to provide leadership for the younger players.
“That’s important for us in the locker room,” Marks said. “Not just goes for Mike, this goes for all the guys.”
Fernández said the additions of Randle, Ellis and Wagner have already had a positive impact on the group because they have approached the summer with a professional mindset and have not tried to do too much.
The coaching staff will also enter the season with continuity after Fernández and his staff received extensions during the offseason. Fernández called the current staff the best he has been a part of and said that continuity is important as Brooklyn continues developing its young core.
There were also several injury updates. Marks said Nolan Traoré and Grant Nelson are physically ready for training camp, although Traoré will be ramped up gradually. Mikel Brown Jr. rolled his ankle last week and will also be ramped up during camp, but the Nets do not currently expect him to miss time.
Fernández also offered an encouraging update on Ben Saraf, who spent much of the summer working on his shooting.
Rather than viewing Saraf's shooting as a major concern, Fernández said he has been pleased with the work the second-year guard has put in with Brooklyn's coaching staff.
“He's done a great job this summer,” Fernández said.
With training camp beginning Tuesday, the Nets will finally get the opportunity to see whether the summer work translates to the court.
For Marks and Fernández, the priority is clear: develop the young players, push the veterans, and let competition determine who earns the minutes.
