Summer League starts in six days!
The Draft is over, free agency is close to a conclusion. Contracts have been signed, qualifying offers tendered and now the testing begins with the opening of NBA Summer League in Las Vegas next Wednesday. There’s still some things to clear up, most prominently Cam Thomas free agency. And there’s always the possibility of a surprise.
—July 6: Free agent signings and Draft Day trades become official, starting at 6:00 p.m. ET. Specifically, the Nets participation the three-team trade involving the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics centered on Kristaps Porzingis will be finalized. In that deal, in case you forgot, the Nets wound up with the No. 22 pick, which became Drake Powell, and Terance Mann. Initial reports did not indicate what Brooklyn gave up. It has to be something: a draft stash, cash considerations, a G League contract.
Also, the Nets are one of teams in the massive, record seven-team deal centered on Kevin Durant’s move to Houston. It’s anticipated that the Nets involvement will only be the already agreed-to trade of their 2025 second rounder to Phoenix for two future seconds.
—July 7: Nets $23.3 million trade exception from Mikal Bridges trade expires. Because the Nets have so much cap space, there seems little use for it. The Nets will have to be over the cap to use it. That is highly unlikely.
—July 8: Nets contingent led by assistant coach Steve Hetzel will depart for Las Vegas. Roster TBA.
—July 10-20: NBA Summer League in Las Vegas With all those draft picks plus a number of young players from last year’s team and camp invites, Brooklyn should be one of the most interesting squads. In addition to their five first rounders, Dariq Whitehead seems like a lock to be on the roster. Noah Clowney more a question mark. It is his third season in the NBA. And in case you forgot, Jalen Wilson won the SL MVP last year so he’s proven himself on the Vegas courts. Here’s the schedule of the preliminary round:
- July 10 vs. the Thunder (5:30 p.m, ET, ESPN2),
- July 13 vs. the Wizards (8:00 p.m, ET, ESPN2),
- July 15 vs. the Knicks (6:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
- July 16 against Magic (7:30 p.m, ET, ESPN)
Among the rookies you can expect to see are Thomas Sorber and Nique Clifford of OKC, Tre Johnson and Walter Clayton Jr. of Washington.
—July 17–21: WNBA All-Star Break
—July 19: WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. With the Liberty dominating the W, expect multiple selections from New York.
—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, plus the OKC Thunder and Indiana Pacers. We’ll also find out how many national TV games Brooklyn will play.
—August 7: WNBA Trade Deadline, 3:00 pm ET.
—August 29: WNBA Player Playoff eligibility from Waivers, 5:00 pm ET
—September 11: WNBA Regular Season Ends
—September 14: WNBA Playoffs begin
—September 28: Rough starting date for training camp and Media Day for those teams like the Nets who play overseas in preseason The Nets, of course, are playing in China. Teams can bring 21 players into camp.
—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 day 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: Nets team option on Noah Clowney and Dariq Whitehead for 2026-27.
—November 7: Long Island Nets opening night at Nassau Coliseum. Opponent TBA. As our Brian Fleurantin wrote this week, the G League affiliate will play a big role with so many young players.