The Brooklyn Nets just made a strategic move that most likely will not pay off instantly but holds tremendous long-term promise. At No. 26 in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Nets selected Israeli guard Ben Saraf, a 6-foot-6 prospect whose size, skill set, and international experience offer unique upside for the franchise down the line.
Patience is key
Saraf is not expected to light up the scoreboard right away or come off the bench shooting with deadly accuracy. His game remains a work in progress, particularly his outside shooting, and he is unlikely to dazzle in his rookie season. However, this rawness is precisely what makes his selection a smart, forward-thinking gamble. His calm demeanor, exceptional court vision, and length give him the tools to develop into a versatile playmaker who can impact the game in multiple ways.
Coming from Ratiopharm Ulm and fresh off an MVP performance at the 2024 FIBA U18 EuroBasket, Saraf arrives with valuable professional experience overseas and a basketball IQ that sets him apart from many young guards in this draft. His creative playmaking style draws comparisons to a young D’Angelo Russell. He too is smart, crafty, and poised, though without that kind of immediate scoring punch. That is important as we already know how Brooklyn has long shown they like guards in the mold of D-lo.
Brooklyn fans will need to embrace patience, as Saraf fits the “stash-and-wait” mold rather than instant satisfaction. But for those who are willing to invest time, the payoff could be substantial. Saraf’s ability to control tempo, and leverage his size to challenge defenses gives the Nets a high-upside guard who could become a vital piece in their future core. In the end, good things come to those who wait, and the Nets’ pick of Ben Saraf embodies that hopeful, strategic patience.