Let’s just say that Nets fans were not exactly thrilled and ready to throw a parade after the team selected Egor Demin with their first lottery pick in over 14 years in the 2025 NBA Draft. His name was not projected that high, and at first glance, the numbers at BYU were more solid than spectacular.
But a recent report should change the temperature of the conversation entirely.
Travis Hansen adds that OKC was very much interested in Egor Demin and tried getting him last night.
— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) June 26, 2025
Hansen says Sam Presti even had Demin over to his home in the pre-draft process.
As I posted yesterday, Demin is a typical Presti pick. https://t.co/a4SJVn4wT9
According to Travis Hansen, former NBA player and mentor to Egor Demin, the Oklahoma City Thunder were not only interested in the 6-foot-8 Russian guard, they were hoping he would fall to them at slot No. 15. Sam Presti,one of the league’s most respected general managers, even hosted Demin at his home during the pre-draft process.
Let that sink in for a moment
We are talking about Sam Presti, the executive who built a championship team from scratch. This is the guy who turned Shai Gilgeous-Alexander into an MVP candidate, drafted Chet Holmgren, found Lu Dort, and pulled Jalen Williams out of nowhere. The man does not miss often. And according to the reports he definitely saw something real in Egor Demin
Presti does not chase empty potential, I think he has earned the benefit of the doubt. He values instincts, processing speed and positional versatility. That is exactly what makes Demin so compelling. His shooting needs work as he is not considered a scorer, but he does see the game at a high level and makes teammates better.
This is not about OKC losing out. It is about Brooklyn quietly getting it right.
You do not end up in the Thunder’s draft queue by accident. If Demin had slipped a few more spots, he would likely be in blue and orange right now repping the Thunder, surrounded by talent, praised for his feel, and considered another Presti gem. Instead, he is in Brooklyn, and Nets fans need to understand what that means.
It means you have got a guy who the best minds in the league believe in. It means the Nets didn’t just take a swing, they took one OKC was willing to wait for. That’s not reaching. That’s reading the room before anyone else. We will need to wait and see what Demin becomes but one thing is clear…if the champs believed in him, then chances are he will be just fine.