Egor Demin: Brooklyn Nets Guard Targets More Playmaking and Physicality

Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin is entering his second NBA season with a clear objective: transitioning from a perimeter-focused role to a primary playmaking position.

Demin Improves Strength to Penetrate the Paint

During his debut season, Demin averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 assists, and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 39% from three-point range. Despite these contributions, the Moscow native noted a discrepancy between his professional usage and his collegiate experience at BYU, where he controlled the ball roughly 80% of the time. To bridge this gap, Demin dedicated his offseason to physical conditioning specifically designed to withstand defensive pressure while bringing the ball up the court. He intends to use this added strength to penetrate the paint, a tactical shift he believes will create scoring opportunities for himself and open passing lanes for teammates like Michael Porter Jr., Julius Randle, and Mikel Brown Jr. La saison dernière, c’était beaucoup plus de jeu sans ballon, et plutôt des situations de catch-&-shoot, alors qu’à BYU, j’avais la balle entre les mains 80% du temps, Demin noted. Mais j’ai beaucoup travaillé là-dessus cet été, donc je suis prêt à assumer ce rôle et à saisir ces opportunités. The 20-year-old added, La saison passée, c’était plus difficile pour moi, mais je pense que cette année, je mettrai surtout l’accent sur le fait d’attaquer la raquette et d’aller dans la peinture, ce qui va ouvrir tellement plus d’opportunités ensuite.

Teammate Perspectives on Backcourt Chemistry

The Nets’ guard rotation features a crowded group of prospects, including Mikel Brown Jr., Keon Ellis, Nolan Traoré, and Ben Saraf. Michael Porter Jr. has publicly backed Demin’s transition, noting that the guard has developed the necessary physicality to handle point guard duties without being rattled by defensive pressure. I think Egor is very at ease as a point guard and as a shooting guard, Porter Jr. stated. He has clearly developed enough physically to play the point if needed. Beyond on-court tactics, Demin is focused on fostering personal connections within the roster. He has grown close with Brown, describing him as my brother, and hopes to cultivate a team culture beyond professional interaction. My goal is to make this group not just co-workers with each other, but being actual friends, Demin said. So, that’s my goal for the season, not just with Mikel, but everybody else.

Tactical Diversity in the Brooklyn Backcourt

The internal competition for minutes remains a central storyline for the Nets. Mikel Brown Jr. acknowledged the distinct skill sets present among the team’s guards, noting that while their roles may overlap, each player brings a unique value. Obviously, Nolan’s really good at playmaking, playing fast, pushing the pace, touching the paint a lot, Brown said. Egor is good. We all could touch the paint at the end of the day. I think we all bring a different type of value to the game.

The development of these players remains a priority under head coach Jordi Fernandez. While the team expects some growing pains as the young backcourt continues to integrate, the presence of veteran leadership from players like Julius Randle is expected to provide a stabilizing influence. Demin’s ability to successfully shift his game toward interior play will serve as a primary indicator of his progress as he aims to secure a more significant role in Brooklyn’s rotation for the 2025-26 season.

Statistical Overview of the 2025-26 Season

Demin’s commitment to this new role follows an abbreviated summer training period necessitated by a foot injury, which he has since recovered from. He continues to work toward the start of the upcoming season, where he will compete for consistent minutes in a crowded Brooklyn guard rotation. Drafted 8th overall one year ago, Demin recorded 0.4 offensive rebounds and 0.3 blocks per game during his rookie campaign.