The Post’s Brian Lewis breaks down the Nets’ top storylines heading into training camp.

Best battle 

Brooklyn’s starting five is set before camp even starts, while Mo Wagner, Keon Ellis and a backup point guard all have to play. But the forward fight between Noah Clowney, Josh Minott, Danny Wolf and Joshua Jefferson will be interesting. 

Story to watch develop 

Veteran Michael Porter Jr. is on an expiring $40.8 million deal and has been extension-eligible. His agent Mark Bartelstein said in July he planned to talk with GM Sean Marks “in the days ahead.” Since then? Crickets. Will the Nets extend him? Trade him? Do the former now and the latter next summer? No story will be more watched. 

Brooklyn’s Michael Porter Jr. is seen on the bench during the first half of the Nets’ loss to the Knicks on March 20, 2026 at Barclays Center. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

Coach’s toughest challenge 

Spending camp and preseason crafting an attack around Porter and Julius Randle. The Nets were last in Offensive Rating, and Randle pounds the rock. But Porter moves, cuts and gets off the ball quickly. They can work well, now coach Jordi Fernández has to turn that theory into practice. 

Most intriguing rookie 

Mikel Brown Jr. comes into camp as the Nets’ highest-drafted player in 16 years, a rare combination of passing, deep range and downhill juice. The task is getting him to pack on pounds, rein in his risk-taking and learn to run an NBA team. 

Most intriguing newcomer 

It’s Randle. Brown might become the Nets’ most important player someday, but Randle is their best today. Their only All-Star, he’s averaged 21.7 points and 8.9 boards over the past eight years. He’s a floor-raiser and their only proven on-ball scorer. 

Julius Randle, now with the Nets, goes up for a shot as Mitchell Robinson defends during the Timberwolves’ blowout loss to the Knicks on Nov. 5, 2025 at Madison Square Garden. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Most notable absence 

Nic Claxton is gone after seven years in Brooklyn, along with his rim protection and vertical lob threat. Brooklyn has no replacement for either, and must find a No. 3 center behind Wagner and starter Day’Ron Sharpe. Is it Wolf, Grant Nelson, Chaney Johnson or even Randle in case of emergency? 

Biggest comeback 

Egor Dëmin. Granted, Sharpe’s season-ending thumb operation was surgical, while Dëmin’s plantar fasciitis procedure was non-surgical. But the latter can become chronic, considering the lottery pick’s importance, his health will be scrutinized. 

Brooklyn guard Egor Dëmin celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer to force overtime, but it was enough as the Nets fell to the Magic in the extra session on Jan. 7, 2026 at Barclays Center. Robert Sabo for NY Post

Don’t be surprised if … 

Fernandez ends up having to make some tough calls between young and old, development and victory. Without their pick or incentive to tank, the Nets will aim to win. Does Fernandez give minutes to aging vets like, say, Terance Mann? Or force-feed sophomores Ben Saraf and Drake Powell, even if they’re struggling?