Nets' Egor Dëmin-Keon Ellis Pairing Raises Questions

The Brooklyn Nets are set to open the regular season with Egor Dëmin and Keon Ellis in the starting backcourt, but whether the two guards are the right fit alongside each other remains an interesting question.

With Mikel Brown Jr. working his way back from an ankle injury, Ellis has started alongside Dëmin throughout the preseason. Brown made his preseason debut against the Miami Heat, giving head coach Jordi Fernández another opportunity to evaluate Brooklyn's backcourt options. However, the rookie's minutes restriction means the current starting combination is expected to remain in place for now.

Fernández recently confirmed that Brown will still be on a minutes restriction for Wednesday's season opener against the Charlotte Hornets. The coach would need to see that limit increase beyond 24 minutes before feeling comfortable starting him, and Brown has not reached that point yet.

Dëmin showed some encouraging signs this preseason, particularly with his playmaking. The second-year guard finished with 16 assists and six turnovers, showing progress in his ability to handle the ball and find teammates. He still has room to grow as a creator, but getting these opportunities to run the offense should help him continue developing in that role.

Ellis brings a different skill set to the backcourt. His perimeter defense and ability to knock down open threes make him a useful option alongside Julius Randle and Michael Porter Jr. He can make an impact without needing the ball in his hands, and his defensive presence gives the Nets some balance in a starting lineup featuring several players who will carry a significant offensive load.

Still, I'm curious whether Brooklyn will have enough shot creation with Dëmin and Ellis starting together.

Randle will be an important part of the offense, while Porter gives the Nets another scoring threat from the perimeter. But having another guard who can consistently get into the paint and put pressure on opposing defenses could make a difference, especially when Brooklyn needs to generate offense in the half court.

That's where Nolan Traoré and Brown come into the conversation.

Traoré has made a strong impression during the preseason, showing confidence attacking the basket and making a case for a bigger role. His play gives Fernández another option to consider, particularly if the Nets need more scoring and creation from their guards.

Brown brings a different kind of intrigue. The sixth overall pick finally got his first preseason action against Miami, and his development will be worth following as he adjusts to the NBA. Once his minutes restriction is lifted, he could give Brooklyn another guard capable of creating his own shot and taking some pressure off Dëmin.

Personally, I'd like to see the Nets experiment with Dëmin and Brown playing together, while Ellis and Traoré get an opportunity to share the floor in another combination. Dëmin's size and passing could complement Brown's ability to create off the dribble. Meanwhile, Ellis could provide Traoré with a defensive-minded partner who doesn't need to dominate the ball.

That doesn't mean those combinations would automatically work better than the current starting group. Ellis brings defensive value that Brooklyn needs, and Dëmin could benefit from having an experienced defender alongside him while he continues to develop. Traoré also has to show that his preseason play can translate into consistent production once the games count.

For now, the minutes restriction makes the decision fairly straightforward. Ellis and Dëmin can start the season together while Brown gradually works toward a larger role. What happens once the rookie is cleared for more minutes could make things much more interesting.

I'm not convinced Dëmin and Ellis are the best long-term pairing, but there's no reason for the Nets to rush into a change before the season even gets underway. With Traoré playing well and Brown waiting for a bigger opportunity, Fernández has several options to explore.

The starting backcourt might be settled for opening night, but that doesn't mean the competition is over. How these four guards develop and fit alongside one another could ultimately determine which combinations Brooklyn relies on most as the season progresses.