Jordy Fernandez puts rookies on bench after Michael Porter Jr’s request for ‘change’

Rookie development should be close to No. 1 on the Brooklyn Nets’ priority list this season. However, after an 0-5 start, the team’s draft picks took a back seat on Sunday.

Jordi Fernandez benched Ben Saraf, who had started Brooklyn’s first five games at point guard, in favor of journeyman Tyrese Martin. Meanwhile, No. 8 pick Egor Demin played just 15 minutes, while rookie Drake Powell played four minutes before re-injuring his ankle. Changes followed later Michael Porter Jr. criticized the play of the Nets point guard and said “something has to change” with the team’s lineups.

Still, Brooklyn looked as uninspired as ever on Sunday, as Martin went scoreless on 0-of-6 shooting in a 129-105 loss to the Joel Embiid-less 76ers.

“In the fourth quarter of the last game against Atlanta, we allowed 23 points (with Tyrese playing and Ben and Egor on the bench). We won the second half, we only allowed 53 points, and there was a good physical condition. I believe Tyrese,” said Fernandez after the game, explaining the change in the lineup. “He did a great job, and I felt like you brought more experience (with him). And then Drake, unfortunately, got hurt. But bring in Drake, who’s a good defender, and he’s going to be a high-level defender, and we’re continuing to develop these guys. Unfortunately, Drake couldn’t play longer. But that was the thought process, just to try to set it up.

Demin and Saraf were there only the Nets starters get consistent minuteswith Nolan Traore out of the rotation and Powell and Danny Wolf prone to ankle injuries. However, Fernandez benched Demin and Saraf in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s loss to the Hawks, after which he emphasized that “nobody is being given anything.”

Sunday’s changes were a desperate attempt to prevent the downward spiral from continuing and to keep veterans invested. However, losses during which rookies barely play will upset fans during a season that should be about player development and draft position.

Jordi Fernandez’s rotation change falls flat on his face in loss to 76ers

Further, the Nets offense has played better than expected with the starters through five games. Their 114.9 offensive rating ranks 14th in the NBA and their 54.0 field goal percentage ranks 16th. They ranked 15th in turnovers at 15.8 points per game. Their defense, however, was the worst in the league by a significant margin.

Saraf felt Fernandez dropped him from the lineup with defense in mind.

“I think (Jordi) wants more defensively. I think in the last two games I had a few breakdowns on defense,” the rookie said. “So that’s really important for the team. I think this is the main thing. … I feel like I’m a capable defender. I think I just need a little more attention on some possessions.”

However, the Nets’ defense remained terrible with Saraf on the bench and Demin barely playing. Brooklyn allowed Philadelphia to score 73 points in the first half on 28-of-49 shooting (57.1 percent) with 17 assists and five turnovers. Kelly Oubre torched Fernandez’s team for 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting in the first quarter.

The Nets also turned in one of their worst offensive performances of the season, shooting 39 of 90 from the field (43.3 percent) and 7 of 38 from three (18.4 percent) with 18 turnovers.

Fernandez’s lineup change didn’t inspire enough for Brooklyn’s leading duo of Porter Jr. and Cam Thomas, who remained uninterested on defense. Thomas struggled offensively for the third straight game, scoring 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting through three quarters before improving his stats in the garbage time. He finished with 29 points, one rebound, one assist and three turnovers.

Meanwhile, Porter Jr. had his worst offensive game of the season, scoring 17 points on 7-of-23 shooting from the field and 1-of-12 from three with two assists and three turnovers.