Cooper Flagg headlines a deep 2025-26 rookie class, with Ace Bailey, Kon Knueppel, Dylan Harper, and Khaman Maluach poised for immediate fantasy impact. Flagg is projected to start for Dallas and contribute across points, rebounds, assists and defensive stats, while Jazz, Hornets, Spurs and Suns lean on rookies for early workload. Knueppel and Bailey offer reliable shooting and scoring floor, Harper carries exciting upside despite potential early limitations, and Maluach is a high-risk, high-reward rim protector with room to grow.

The Brooklyn Nets will kick off the 2025-26 season with Practice in the Park at Potomac Playground in Bed-Stuy on Sep. 27, giving fans a first look at drills and community buzz. The event, presented by Ticketmaster, blends on-court work with neighborhood festivities—Gersh Park vs. Zone 6 Park, a Brooklyn Celebrity Game, and a basketball combine—building excitement as five rookies join the squad.

Cam Thomas and Michael Porter Jr. headline the on-court action, with Egor Demin, the eighth pick in 2025, also slated to appear. Nets leadership stresses community connection as a foundation for a season aiming to flip last year’s 26-56 mark and propel a younger, more dynamic identity.

Egor Demin, eighth in the 2025 draft by Brooklyn, could open 2025-26 as the Nets’ starting point guard, a scenario that would turbocharge his fantasy value and ROY odds. Summer League showed him thriving off the ball and spacing for teammates, a skill set that translates well to Brooklyn’s crowded rookie class.

Dallas’ Cooper Flagg sits atop many ROY projections if he delivers solid production, but Demin can punch above his weight by efficient scoring and timely playmaking if he wins a starting role. The Nets’ depth creates a dynamic rookies season where Demin’s minutes and shot decisions will matter most for fantasy managers.

NBA 2K26 reveals the top rookie ratings from the 2025 draft, led by Cooper Flagg at 82 for Dallas. The first-round cohort features Dylan Harper (78), VJ Edgecombe (76), Kon Knueppel (75), Ace Bailey (77), Tre Johnson (75), Jeremiah Fears (73) and Egor Demin (72), among others. Fantasy players should note that minute opportunities and role in the opening rotation will drive the real value of these rookies, not just their ratings. Flagg’s ceiling in DAL stands out, but others could surprise with early defensive/value contributions.