While Brooklyn’s newest additions will receive plenty of attention, the California Classic also gives several returning young players valuable developmental minutes. Egor Demin, Drake Powell, Danny Wolf, and Ben Saraf, four of the Nets’ five first-round picks from the 2025 NBA Draft, are expected to continue building chemistry and preparing for their second NBA seasons. Nolan Traoré, the fifth member of that first-round class, will not suit up after recently undergoing a minor arthroscopic procedure on his knee, with the Nets holding him out as he continues his recovery. Additionally, 2026 first-round pick Joshua Jefferson will not play in the California Classic because the three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls cannot become official until July 6. However, he is expected to be available when Brooklyn opens the NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas on July 10.
