Projecting the Brooklyn Nets' Starting Lineup and Rotation

The Brooklyn Nets have plenty of new faces heading into the 2026-27 season, and figuring out how those players fit together will be one of the biggest storylines to watch early on. With established veterans joining a young roster, head coach Jordi Fernández has several options as he figures out who deserves the most playing time.

The rotation will likely look different a few months from now, but I have an idea of how things could shake out on opening night. Here's my prediction for Brooklyn's starting five, which reserves will get regular minutes, and which players could find themselves on the outside looking in.

I expect Dëmin and Ellis to open the season as Brooklyn's starting backcourt, with Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle providing the bulk of the team's scoring from the forward positions. Day'Ron Sharpe gets the nod at center, giving the Nets a physical presence inside.

Dëmin averaged 25 minutes per game last season, and I expect that number to increase as he takes on a bigger role in Brooklyn's offense. The second-year guard should have more opportunities to develop as a playmaker, and giving him 30 minutes a night would allow the Nets to see what he can do with an expanded workload.

Ellis is an interesting choice alongside Dëmin. He has never averaged more than 25 minutes per game in a season, but his three-point shooting and defensive ability make him a good fit in Fernández's system. The two also have a history from their time in Sacramento, which could help Ellis earn the coach's trust early on. I do expect his minutes to decrease as the season progresses, though, especially with Mikel Brown Jr. and Nolan Traoré competing for larger roles.

Porter and Randle should be two of the most established players in the rotation. Porter averaged 33 minutes per game last season, and I don't see that changing much in Brooklyn. Randle also averaged 33 minutes per game with Minnesota, and the Nets will likely rely on his scoring, rebounding, and ability to create his own offense.

Sharpe is projected to receive 26 minutes per game, which would be a significant increase from his previous workload. He has never averaged more than 19 minutes per game in a season, but he has primarily come off the bench throughout his career. With a chance to become Brooklyn's starting center, he should finally get an opportunity to show what he can do with consistent minutes.

Brown is projected to receive 20 minutes per game to begin his rookie season, although his workload will depend on his recovery from a left ankle injury. Fernández has confirmed that Brown will start the regular season on a minutes restriction after making his preseason debut against Miami. He played 18 minutes and scored 15 points in that game, giving Nets fans an encouraging first look at what he can bring to the team.

I expect Brown's minutes to gradually increase as he gets healthier and more comfortable at the NBA level. Eventually, I could see him pushing for a starting spot and taking over for Ellis in the backcourt. For now, bringing him off the bench makes sense while the Nets manage his workload and give him time to adjust to the league.

Traoré is another young guard whose role could change as the season goes on. He averaged 22 minutes per game last season, but the additions of Brown and Ellis create more competition for playing time. Eighteen minutes per game feels like a reasonable starting point, although I wouldn't be surprised to see that number rise if he continues to impress.

Clowney averaged 27 minutes per game last season and started 60 games, but Randle's arrival changes things for him. Rather than playing a major role as a starter, Clowney should move back to the bench. I still expect him to get 18 minutes per game, giving him opportunities to contribute while the Nets experiment with different frontcourt combinations.

Wagner should also have a regular role as a backup big man. He spent the previous six seasons with Orlando, averaging around 18 minutes per game in a reserve role. My projection of 22 minutes reflects the possibility of a slightly larger workload in Brooklyn, particularly when Randle and Sharpe are resting.

One of the more intriguing players in this projected rotation is Chaney Johnson. The two-way player has impressed Brooklyn's coaches and teammates with his performances in summer league and the preseason. His versatility and ability to defend multiple positions have seemingly earned him a chance to contribute, even if he remains on a two-way contract.

If these 10 players make up Brooklyn's regular rotation to start the season, Josh Minott, Danny Wolf, Terance Mann, Ben Saraf, and Drake Powell could be left fighting for minutes.

That doesn't mean those players won't get their chances. There are plenty of young players on this roster who will want to prove they deserve a bigger role, and a strong stretch of play could change the pecking order. Injuries and matchups could also open the door for players who initially find themselves out of the rotation.

Johnson's situation is particularly interesting because the Long Island Nets don't begin their season until November 6. That gives Brooklyn some time to see what he can do at the NBA level before deciding what to do with his two-way assignment. The Nets could give him an extended look during the opening stretch before sending him to Long Island, potentially opening up minutes for players such as Wolf or Minott.

Joshua Jefferson remains injured, and I don't currently see him cracking the regular rotation once he's healthy, either. With so many players competing for opportunities, he'll have an uphill battle to earn consistent minutes.

My biggest question heading into the season is how long Ellis can hold onto his starting spot. I expect him to open the year alongside Dëmin, but Brown's development could eventually force Fernández to reconsider that pairing. If Brown proves he can handle a larger workload, the Nets will have an interesting decision to make with their backcourt.

For now, I see Brooklyn leaning on Porter and Randle for scoring while giving its young guards plenty of opportunities to develop. The rotation won't be set in stone, and players such as Traoré, Brown, Clowney, and Johnson will have a chance to make their cases for more minutes. How they take advantage of those opportunities could go a long way toward determining what the Nets' rotation looks like by the end of the season.