The Brooklyn Nets could have as many as four first-round picks in the upcoming NBA Draft, giving them some chances to land a top prospect.
Bleacher Report analyst Jonathan Wasserman believes the Nets will select Israeli guard Ben Saraf with the 29th pick.
“At the very least, Ben Saraf has become a top priority for scouts after winning the MVP award at the European Under-18 Championships while averaging 28.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists for Israel,” Wasserman writes. “He was a machine at initiating attacks, getting to targets with quick dribble moves and changing speeds. He relentlessly attacked defenders and spaces to get to the basket, even without significant acceleration. Shooting wasn’t his strong suit over the years, but high usage allowed him to develop his rhythm and confidence to make 17 three-pointers and 13 mid-range shots in seven games.”
Taking a risk on a young foreign player can be risky, but Saraf comes from a team (Ratipharm Ulm in Germany) that produced two NBA draft picks last season. Pacome Dadiet was selected 25th overall by the New York Knicks while the San Antonio Spurs selected Juan Nunez in the second round, but he chose to stay overseas and sign with FC Barcelona.
If Saraf shows the same potential he did last season, he could easily emerge as an option for the Nets with either of their final first-round picks.
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