Follow the Nets, follow the Liberty even closer. They’re going to be playing.
Summer League is over and free agency is nearing an end. The Brooklyn Nets won’t play again for another 12 weeks. That’s when they and the Suns play preseason games vs. the Phoenix Suns on October 10 and 12 in Macao, China. Probably should update the NBA China poster…
The next big thing is the NBA schedule release which will be in a few weeks. In the interim though, look for a few last remnants of free agency, led by the signings of Day’Ron Sharpe, Ziaire Williams and Cam Thomas. Of course, Sean Marks & co. could pull off a trade too.
At the same time, the WNBA is revving up following the weekend’s All-Star Break. Jonquel Jones, who’s been out a month returns Tuesday night vs. the Caitlin Clark-less Indiana Fever.
Here’s the calendar. Reserve a place on the fridge.
—Early August TBA: NBA schedule for 2025-26 is released. Games to look for: the four vs. the Knicks of course, the rivalry enhanced by New York hiring Jordi Fernandez’s mentor, Mike Brown; the Dallas Mavericks with Cooper Flagg and if he’s healthy at the time, Kyrie Irving, the Houston Rockets with Kevin Durant, plus the reigning champs, the OKC Thunder. We’ll also find out how many national TV games Brooklyn will play. Maybe one or two.
—August 7: WNBA Trade Deadline, 3:00 pm ET.
—August 27 – September 14: FIBA Eurobasket. Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf won’t play for Israel, Nolan Traore won’t play for France. Russia isn’t participating so Egor Demin has no commitments either. But ya never know.
—August 29: WNBA Player Playoff eligibility from Waivers, 5:00 pm ET
—Early September: Long Island Nets schedule released. As our Brian Fleurantin wrote the G League affiliate will play a big role with so many young players.
—September 11: WNBA Regular Season Ends
—September 14: WNBA Playoffs begin
—September 28: Rough starting date for training camp and and announcement of 21-man camp roster. Camp opens with Media Day. It’s an early start for teams like the Nets who play overseas in preseason and Brooklyn is playing in China. Teams can bring 21 players into camp.
—October 1: Deadline for Cam Thomas to exercise his qualifying offer which would play him $6 million next year and make him an unrestricted free agent next season. He’d have veto power over any trade and Nets would lose his Bird Rights.
—October 10: First of two NBA China Games vs. Phoenix Suns at the 14,000 capacity Venetian in Macao. Will Nets have a Chinese player on the roster?
—October 12: Second of two NBA China Games. Same opponent, same venue.
—October 19 – Last possible date for WNBA Finals.
—October 21: Regular Season Opening Night, opponent TBA, NBA Teams have to get down to 15 standard roster spots and three two-ways. Big deadline for non-guaranteed players: Jalen Wilson, Keon Johnson, Tyrese Martin and Drew Timme. Keon Johnson and Jalen Wilson contract partial guarantees: $760,520 for Johnson; $381,695 for Wilson.
—October 31: Traditional date for G League training camps to opens.
—October 31: Deadline for 2026-27 team options on Noah Clowney and Dariq Whitehead.
—October 31: Emirates NBA Cup 2025 – Group Play tips off. Nets in group. They will compete in East Group B in-season tournament along with the Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and Philadelphia 76ers.
—November 7: Long Island Nets opening night at Nassau Coliseum. Opponent TBA.