The Brooklyn Nets have been choosing players since the 1977 draft. However, they have had the chance to pick in the top 10 a total of just 15 times, with their last opportunity arriving in 2010, when they selected Derrick Favors.
This year, holding the eighth overall pick, fans had high expectations, especially after the roller coaster journey the franchise had been on over the last decade. Unfortunately, their selection of Egor Demin did not inspire the fanbase, who took to social media to voice their concerns.
Fans Blast Brooklyn Nets for Picking Egor Demin
A 6-foot-9 prototypical point forward, Demin was a dominant force for Real Madrid in 2023, averaging 13.0 points and 5.1 rebounds in 21 games played for their B team in Liga EBA. Making the transfer to college basketball in America, he committed to BYU, averaging 10.6 points while showcasing his unique playmaking with 5.5 assists per game in his lone season with the Cougars.
However, even with his immense talent, his shot was a major question mark, especially in the modern NBA. At BYU, he shot just 41.2% from the field, while an even worse 27.3% from distance. Moreover, his free-throw shooting numbers of 69.5% do not inspire much confidence about an improvement in that regard.
As a result, Demin was seen as an outside bet to land in the lottery, with the last mock draft from PFSN before the draft, courtesy of analyst Brandon Austin, seeing him going 13th overall to the Atlanta Hawks.
Understandably, the reach from Brooklyn did not sit right with its fanbase, who were hoping for a more exciting prospect. Immediately, the fanbase aired their frustrations, with a longtime fan voicing his displeasure, “I waited 15 years for the Nets to have a top 10 pick and they took f***ing Egor Demin.”
I waited 15 years for the Nets to have a top 10 pick and they took fucking Egor Demin
— dylan (@MendNets) June 26, 2025
Another fan was similarly unmoved. After trading away Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Mikal Bridges in July 2024, and Dorian Finney-Smith in December 2024, the Nets are going through a complete rebuild, as evidenced by their five first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft.
However, for some, this slow-paced approach is not their cup of tea, as one fan claimed, “Already a failure. 2nd season in a row I won’t be watching. No direction and no hope.”
Already a failure . 2nd season in a row I won’t be watching. No direction and no hope.
— WolfPac Stockertaker (@wwwaterboy11) June 26, 2025
The decision must have come directly from general manager Sean Marks, who has pivoted with his direction quite a few times over the last few years. And this one did not move the fans either, as one fan blamed, “Marks is so so so bad.”
Marks is so so so bad 🤢
— New Jersey Nets (@Oofyikes07) June 26, 2025
Some did not want to blame a particular player or front office executive. Instead, they believed the franchise as a whole, which has been struggling to find consistency since the ill-advised trade with the Boston Celtics in 2013, was the problem. “This franchise is cursed.”
This franchise is cursed 😂
— Alejandro Steele (@a_steele31) June 26, 2025
Another fan added, “What a sad franchise,” echoing a ringing sentiment across the entire Nets fandom. But with four other picks still left in the draft, perhaps the organization can turn its fans’ minds around.
WHAT A SAD FRANCHISE
— Fonstory (@Alfonstory1) June 26, 2025
But with four other picks still left in the draft, perhaps the organization can turn its fans’ minds around.
