The Nets plan for rookie point guards remains murky heading into the season opener

Preseason is over for the Nets, but so much remains to be determined for their three rookie point guards.

It is uncertain who will start the regular season opener against the Hornets, who will serve as backup and who will have to wait their turn.

Coach Jordi Fernández refused to reveal a depth chart for Egor Dëmin, Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf after training on Sunday. Either way, it can change from game to game. Nothing is set in stone.

“I’m very happy with all three,” Fernández said. “All three have played in preseason, all three have done good things and all three have things to work on.

“If they can take advantage of their minutes, they will survive with their role, whether starting or as a backup. If someone can’t maintain production or what we ask [from them]Than [it will create an] opportunity for another opportunity, and that’s why I want that healthy competition to work in our team, where they all push each other and they all have minutes and experience and can grow.

In the team’s four practice matches, Saraf and Traore started twice each. But that was partly due to the fact that Dëmin, the top pick of the three, was only available for the final match due to a plantar fascia tear dating back to the spring.

Saraf averaged 6.3 points and 5.5 assists in 20.3 minutes, while Traore produced 4.5 points and 1.8 assists in 14.7 minutes. Both players struggled with turnovers, combining for 5.5 per game in the preseason.

The 6-foot-2 Dëmin was impressive in his debut, producing 14 points and five rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench with two turnovers.

“He did a great job. He looked calm. He helped us,” Fernández said. “It’s good that you see the ball going in, but basketball is not just about seeing the ball go. He made the simple play. We didn’t turn it over that much [with him]. He got his teammates involved and he had very good defensive positions, being the low man, going vertical and protecting the rim. Those things are really good to see right now, but we’re going to ask him to keep getting better because we believe the sky is the limit for him and the other two point guards as well. It’s very exciting going into his first game.”

The three rookies all know each other from their time in the EuroLeague, and as they battle each other for minutes at a time, the three all go through the same process together.

“I think everyone is trying to get better and everyone is trying to help everyone get better,” said Dëmin, the eighth pick in this year’s draft. “I think we will be successful this year. There will be competition every practice. It’s not just about me, Nolan and Ben. It’s about everything. As soon as we leave the field, we’re best friends. I think it should be that way.”