Egor Demin's rookie NBA season has officially come to an end. The Brooklyn Nets announced that the Russian point guard will miss the remainder of the 2025–26 campaign. The official diagnosis is a flare-up of plantar fasciitis in his left foot. The expectation is that he'll be fully recovered in time to begin preparing for next season this summer.
Demin appeared in 52 games during his rookie year, starting 45 of them. He averaged 10.1 points, 3.3 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game—solid numbers for the eighth overall pick in the draft. So, what did we learn about Egor during his first NBA season? First and foremost, he adapts incredibly quickly.
Coming into the league, there were legitimate questions about whether his game would translate to the NBA's elite athleticism. The answer came fast: before long, Demin had become one of Brooklyn's key players. There were also concerns about his outside shot. Neither at Real Madrid nor at BYU was he considered an elite shooter, and in today's NBA, a reliable three-point shot is practically mandatory—after all, even Andre Drummond has started launching threes.
Demin answered those questions as well. His perimeter shooting improved noticeably throughout the season, and in several games—most memorably against Orlando—it was his outside scoring that kept the Nets competitive. Secondly, he became an even more complete player. He entered the draft as an oversized lead guard capable of doing a little bit of everything, but early in the season his offensive game mostly revolved around spot-up threes and finding teammates.
By midseason, however, he'd added a reliable mid-range game and started attacking the basket far more aggressively. Dunks, layups, alley-oops—Demin significantly expanded his offensive arsenal, and the creativity he brings to every possession should become an even bigger asset for Brooklyn next season. And there's little doubt he'll still be wearing a Nets uniform.
Demin's agent has already revealed that Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks views the Russian guard as an important part of the franchise's future. In fact, looking at the current roster, Demin almost feels like the only untouchable player on the team. Michael Porter Jr. would likely be moved for the right package or a collection of draft picks. Players like Terance Mann, Noah Clowney, and Nic Claxton are viewed more as trade assets than long-term franchise cornerstones.
Young prospects such as Nolan Traoré have shown promise, but even Traoré—as well as Ben Saraf, Danny Wolf, and the rest of Brooklyn's young players—can't be considered guaranteed to return next season. For now, the Nets are fully committed to the rebuild. Realistically, they've been tanking since the opening weeks of the season, and Demin's injury only makes that process easier. Cam Thomas, who was capable of carrying the team to victories almost single-handedly in previous seasons, has already departed in free agency. Now Demin is out for the remainder of the year as well.
Brooklyn currently sits 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 17–47 record. The Nets are one of the NBA's four worst teams, ahead of only the Washington Wizards (16–47), the Indiana Pacers (15–49), and the Sacramento Kings (15–50). Finishing as low as possible matters this season because the 2026 NBA Draft is expected to be exceptionally strong. The ultimate prize is AJ Dybantsa, the do-it-all BYU freshman—the very same college where Demin played before entering the NBA. Other elite prospects in the 2026 draft class include Cameron Boozer (Duke), Darryn Peterson (Kansas), and Caleb Wilson (North Carolina).
Although Demin's rookie season is over, there was plenty to celebrate. He made his first NBA All-Star Weekend appearance, captured his first trophy—even if it came during the Rising Stars event—and has a legitimate chance to earn a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Team. We'll find out about those honors soon enough. For now, the priority is simple: recover completely, put the injuries behind him, and get ready for Year Two in the best basketball league in the world.
