Nets Send Rookie Drake Powell to G League as Shooting Slump Stalls Progress

Development has been a recurring theme for the Brooklyn Nets this season, and that approach continued Friday when the organization opted for patience over pressure. Rookie wing Drake Powell, once an early bright spot, was reassigned to the G League amid an extended shooting slump.

Powell, the No. 19 overall pick in the 2025 draft, entered the league with a reputation for athleticism and defensive versatility. At 6-foot-6 with a near seven-foot wingspan, he quickly demonstrated the tools that made him a first-round selection out of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

For stretches earlier this year, those traits translated smoothly to NBA action. Powell carved out rotation minutes, defended multiple positions and chipped in enough offense to keep defenses honest. His energy helped a young Brooklyn roster compete night to night.

But as the season wore on, the offensive confidence that fueled those early performances began to fade. With his shot no longer falling, the Nets chose a familiar path: more time, more touches and more freedom at the developmental level.

1. Early Promise, Recent Struggles

Powell’s first month in the league suggested a player ahead of schedule. He wasn’t asked to carry the offense, but he made winning plays — cutting to the rim, running the floor and knocking down open shots created by teammates. Across his first 30 appearances, he averaged 6.4 points while shooting 46 percent from the field and better than 32 percent from three. Those numbers, combined with his defensive activity, made him one of the more encouraging pieces on a rebuilding roster. Defensively, his impact was immediate. Powell’s length disrupted passing lanes, and his lateral quickness allowed him to stay in front of guards and wings alike. Coaches trusted him to handle difficult assignments, a rare responsibility for a rookie. Lately, though, the offense has stalled. Over his last 17 games, his scoring dipped and his efficiency cratered, with percentages falling into the mid-30s overall and near 20 percent from deep — a sign that rhythm and confidence had both slipped.

2. A Development-First Strategy

Rather than letting the slump linger at the NBA level, Brooklyn leaned into its developmental philosophy. The Nets have used their G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, as an extension of the coaching staff all season, shuttling young players back and forth for meaningful minutes. The franchise’s youth movement makes that approach practical. With an NBA-record five rookie first-rounders on the roster, there simply aren’t enough minutes to go around. Sending players down isn’t a demotion as much as an opportunity for reps. The model has already produced results. Earlier in the season, rookie guard Nolan Traore spent time with Long Island, refined his game and returned more confident. He has since stepped into Brooklyn’s starting point guard role. That precedent offers a blueprint for Powell. Instead of pressing through mistakes on the big stage, he’ll get extended run, a larger offensive role and the chance to rebuild his shot without the glare of NBA defenses.

3. Rotation Ripples and New Opportunities

Powell’s reassignment also opens the door for others. The Nets called up rookie Ben Saraf, another young guard who has spent much of the year developing in the G League. With Powell out of the rotation, Saraf could see more consistent minutes. Saraf’s NBA appearances have been uneven, but his G League production suggests upside. In 15 games with Long Island, he averaged over 15 points with solid playmaking and respectable shooting splits, numbers that hint at a guard capable of orchestrating offense. For Brooklyn, the juggling act is less about immediate results and more about long-term growth. Every assignment, call-up and lineup tweak is designed to identify who can be part of the next competitive core. In that sense, Powell’s trip to Long Island is part of a larger plan rather than a setback. If he rediscovers his shot and returns sharper, the Nets will have another versatile piece ready to contribute when it matters most.