The Nets currently feature explosive scoring guard in Cam Thomas, a sharpshooting standout in Cam Johnson, a rising frontcourt star in Noah Clowney, two capable centers in Nic Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe and a versatile wing trio of Terance Mann, Ziaire Williams and Jalen Wilson.

But with starting point guard D’Angelo Russell likely to sign elsewhere in free agency, Brooklyn lacks a dynamic floor general who can orchestrate offense, get teammates involved and push the pace.

In an ideal scenario, the Nets might have targeted Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears to fill that role, but with him unavailable at No. 8, they opted for BYU’s Egor Demin, one of the highest-risk, highest-reward prospects in this year’s draft class.

The 6-8 floor general from Russia averaged 10.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists as a freshman, shooting 41.2% from the field and 27.3% from 3-point range. He helped guide the Cougars to the NCAA Tournament, earned Big 12 All-Freshman Team honors and set a program freshman record with 180 assists.

“We looked at how he played the game, how he moved the ball, involved his teammates, and saw one or two plays ahead,” Nets general manager Sean Marks said. “Obviously, the size for his position is great when you’ve got a 6-8 combo guard, point guard, but he can move and play off the ball, too… I think his defense is great, how he guards pick-and-rolls. I think that he has great length. So, there are a lot of attributes there.”

The Nets previously gambled on Ben Simmons, a jumbo playmaker who shares striking similarities with Demin: exceptional playmaking skills, positional versatility, defensive potential and persistent shooting struggles.

Once envisioned as the centerpiece of Brooklyn’s offense, Simmons struggled to stay healthy during his three years with the team and lacked aggression. Last season, he averaged only 7.4 field goal attempts and 1.1 free throws per 36 minutes. He never regained the form he showed with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he earned three All-Star nods and two NBA All-Defensive First Team honors.

However, with Demin, the Nets have a fresh opportunity to develop a young, unburdened talent, free of mental hurdles, whom they can mold from the ground up. Demin lacks Simmons’ elite athleticism, relying more on screens and rarely beating defenders off the dribble as Simmons did. Though solid defensively, he doesn’t match Simmons’ natural instincts. And unlike Simmons, Demin wasn’t the consensus No. 1 pick in his draft class.

However, Demin’s ceiling could approach Simmons’ peak. Though his shooting requires refinement, his mechanics are sound, and he confidently takes jumpers, pull-ups and contested step-backs. Relying less on athleticism, Demin showcases greater craftiness and skill than Simmons when he first entered the league. And while Demin won’t be an elite defender from Day 1, he’s shown promise, averaging 1.2 steals per game at BYU, and can guard multiple positions with his size and length.

“Obviously, the passing is something that I was always doing, and this is who I am,” Demin said. “This is who I’m trying to be. I believe in the game of basketball as a creative place where it’s like art for me, and I want to play beautifully… Talking about shooting, it’s definitely something that obviously a lot of people talk about… It can be both sides, good or bad. For me, I have no doubt I’m going to be a solid shooter. I’m seeing myself as a really good shooter in the future, just because I know how much I put into this, how much I put into the work to become one.”

Demin’s enticing potential fueled his lottery selection. His work ethic, paired with the Nets’ ability to develop him, will shape his NBA success. If all goes well, the outcome could be scary, with Demin emerging as one of the league’s more versatile floor generals.

At his peak, it’s not far-fetched to see Demin fulfilling the promise Simmons once held.

“Well, I was playing all my life at point guard, so I see myself as a point guard,” Demin said. “But I also am willing to do whatever it takes for me to bring success to the team and impact the game in a good way. If Coach wants me to be a center, I’ll be a center. I have no problem with that. I just know I’m a playmaker, and no matter what position I’m playing or what spot I’m playing on the floor, I’m going to make plays.”