Nets Cut Two Players as Preseason Roster Shapes Up

Brooklyn’s training camp is humming, but it’s also a bit of a revolving door. On Sunday the organization announced it was moving on from two players who’d been fighting for a spot: guard Dion Brown and 24‑year‑old center Dain Dainja.

Dainja arrived in camp after a solid season with the Edmonton Stingers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. He went undrafted in 2025, spent a year honing his game in the CEBL, and earned a non‑guaranteed invite to Brooklyn’s preseason roster. He showed flashes of rim protection and a decent mid‑range touch, but with the Nets’ front‑court already stacked around Nic Claxton’s departure, the front office decided to look elsewhere.

Brown’s path was a little different. The rookie guard was signed on an Exhibit 10 contract just weeks ago, a move that usually means a team wants to keep a player around for the G‑League affiliate. He impressed in a few scrimmages, but with the Nets sitting 2‑0 and eager to lock in a backcourt rotation, the decision was made to cut him before the next game.

Both players will now go through the waiver process, giving other teams a chance to claim them within 48 hours. If they clear, they’ll likely end up in the NBA G‑League, where they can continue to develop and maybe get a call‑up later.

Coach Jordi Fernández isn’t shy about making these tough calls. “Every day we’re evaluating who fits our style, who brings the right energy, and who can contribute right away,” he said in a brief interview. “It’s never easy, but it’s part of building a competitive roster.”

Meanwhile, the Nets are riding a perfect preseason start, having beaten the Washington Wizards 131‑122 in their latest outing. With the regular season looming, the front office will keep trimming the roster, hoping to carry that momentum into October’s grind.