Brooklyn rolled to a 123-88 preseason win over Hapoel Jerusalem as Jordi Fernández opened his second Nets season with a wide rotation and relentless full-court pressure. Saraf stood out with a calm, capable floor game, Porter Jr. provided scoring and leadership, and Mann led all scorers with 15 while Claxton added a solid two-way performance. The win underscored Brooklyn's depth and the high upside of its rookie group as it heads to Macau to face Phoenix.

In a game that emphasized pace and distribution (31 assists on 49 made baskets), the Nets leaned into youth even as they balanced the lineup with veterans. Traoré flashed burst, Wolf showed versatility, and the entire rookie group — Saraf, Traoré and Wolf — offered a glimpse of long-term upside amid growing pains. Injuries kept Demin, Powell and Highsmith out, reinforcing Fernández’s plan to play every healthy body.

Brooklyn Nets open camp with Ben Saraf and Terance Mann in the starting five alongside Cam Thomas, Michael Porter Jr., and Nic Claxton, signaling a blend of youth and veteran scoring around Claxton as Egor Demin deals with a plantar fascia injury that muddies early rotation. The preseason test against Hapoel Jerusalem offered a first look at minutes and fit, with camp battles shaping up for the guard and power-forward spots.

Tyrese Martin has emerged as Brooklyn's surprising breakout in training camp, turning a training camp invite into a two-year, roughly $2.8 million contract through steady guard play and scoring bursts. Teammates and coaches prize his consistency, two-foot balance, and ability to handle both guard spots, making him a stabilizing presence on a young Nets roster. A 30-point road night against Phoenix last season hinted at his ceiling, though his role remains earned with Brooklyn over the 15-man limit.

Martin's growth is driven by confidence and refined reads, and the Nets view him as a pro's pro whose steady approach could anchor their backcourt depth. With the roster still in flux, his ability to stay healthy and produce in a structured role will determine whether he becomes a long-term Brooklyn piece or a temporary spark off the bench. The organization's faith is clear, but the grind of proving it continues.

Cam Thomas is Brooklyn's likely 2025-26 shooting-guard starter, carrying a heavy scoring load after a $6 million QO. He averaged 24.0 PPG last season and could add playmaking as younger teammates ramp up.

Depth behind him includes Dariq Whitehead, Terance Mann and Kobe Bufkin. Bufkin may slide to shooting guard if he shoots well; Whitehead battles for a roster spot amid injuries. Preseason will reveal how coach Jordi Fernández assigns guard minutes and handles roster cuts.