Today’s events won’t match the significance of May 10th, the NBA Draft Lottery day. While the exact draft date is yet to be confirmed, it will take place at Barclays Center during the final week of July. The last couple of days have held transformative potential for franchises, but for the Nets, the lead-up has been mostly uneventful, with only one trade announced by 10:30 a.m. ET—marking the Nets’ fifth salary dump since last summer.
In this trade, the Nets acquired 6-foot-6, 25-year-old shooting guard Ochai Agbaji, a 2032 second-round pick (effectively the No. 5 pick in that draft), and $3.5 million in cash likely earmarked for basketball operations. In exchange, they sent the draft rights to 29-year-old Serbian guard Vanja Marinković to Toronto to help the Raptors’ financial situation. Marinković, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon about ten days ago, was not expected to develop further.
Meanwhile, insider Brian Windhorst highlights the flexibility of Sean Marks and the Brooklyn front office, predicting that the Nets will be active: “Brooklyn, we expect multiple deals to close in the next 24 hours.”
Here’s what to watch for next:
— February 5: NBA Trade Deadline at 3:00 p.m. ET. The Nets lead the league with roughly $15.5 million in cap space. All trades must be finalized by the deadline. The team needs to trim its NBA roster to 15 standard contracts; Ochai Agbaji currently holds the 16th spot. Cam Thomas did not travel with the team Thursday to Orlando, sparking speculation about his status. Other roster moves are possible as the deadline approaches.
— On Long Island, players await possible promotions or contract conversions between two-way and G League deals, a common ripple effect of the deadline.
— February 8: The Long Island Nets face the Noblesville Boom of Quebec — their third of four games this season in Laval, aiming to build a fanbase within French-speaking Canada, 375 miles north.
— February 10: Les Nets host Noblesville Boom, concluding their games in Quebec. Community events are planned around these matches.
— February 13-15: 2026 NBA All-Star Break in Los Angeles.
— February 13: Egor Demin is expected to be Brooklyn’s sole participant at the Rising Stars game at the Intuit Center (Clippers’ home).
— February 14: NBA All-Star Saturday at Intuit Dome, 5 p.m. ET (NBC & Peacock).
— February 15: The 75th NBA All-Star Game at 5 p.m. ET (NBC & Peacock).
— March 1: Playoff Eligibility Waiver Deadline (Buyout Deadline). Players waived by this date can join new teams and compete in the playoffs; those waived afterward cannot participate in postseason games.
— March 1: Jalen Wilson becomes eligible for a multi-year contract.
— March 4: Last day to finalize two-way contracts. The Nets currently hold all three slots but none are guaranteed.
— March 28: G League regular season concludes.
— March 31: G League playoffs commence.
— April 12: NBA regular season ends, with all 30 teams playing.
— April 13: NBA playoff rosters due at 3:00 p.m. ET and the WNBA Draft takes place. The New York Liberty have traded away early picks and hold only the No. 41 pick in the third round. The draft is also expected to feature significant trades.
— April 14-17: SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament.
— April 18: NBA playoffs begin.
— April 19: WNBA training camp opens; new Liberty coach Chris DeMarco starts.
— April 25: Liberty’s preseason opener at Barclays Center vs. Indiana Pacers and Caitlin Clark at 3 p.m. ET, marking Clark’s return from a groin injury.
— May 3: Liberty’s second preseason game against the Connecticut Sun in Uncasville, 3:00 p.m. ET.
— May 8-10: NBA G League Combine in Chicago.
— May 8: WNBA regular season begins, with the Liberty hosting the Sun (pending the new CBA agreement).
— May 10: NBA Draft Lottery—the franchise’s biggest day since 2019 and 2023’s major moves. The Nets hold an 11.5% chance at the No. 1 pick and a 45.2% chance at a top-four selection.
— May 10-17: NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.
— June 1-17: WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Tournament.
— June 30: Commissioner’s Cup Championship.
— July 1: Teams may initiate free agent discussions at noon ET. The Nets are projected to have $48.8 million in cap space, though contract talks may start immediately after.
— July 6: Free agent signing window opens at noon ET.
— July: Michael Porter Jr. becomes eligible for a four-year, $243 million contract extension commencing in 2027.
— July 24-25: WNBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago.
— August 31–September 16: FIBA World Cup break for WNBA players and coaches.
— September 24: WNBA regular season finale.
— September 27: WNBA playoffs begin.
Fan Take:
This roster activity and calendar overview is crucial for WNBA fans to track how NBA developments, like cap space and trades, indirectly influence talent pipelines and competitive balance across leagues. The Liberty’s tightening draft picks and new coaching leadership point to a season of challenges and opportunities that could reshape the franchise and energize fan engagement in a rapidly evolving WNBA landscape.
