Brooklyn Faces Draft Crossroads That Could Affect Ben Saraf

Brooklyn enters the NBA draft on the night between Tuesday and Wednesday with the No. 6 pick, after finishing the 2025/26 season with the third-worst record in the league. For a year, the Nets hoped to land No. 1 or at least a top-four pick, but instead they are expected to draft the best player still available, which could mean another point guard coming into a backcourt that already includes Ben Saraf and Nolan Traore.

That creates a direct question for Saraf, because Brooklyn’s most likely choices at No. 6 are point guards Keaton Wagler, Michael Brown Jr. and Darius Acuff Jr. General manager Sean Marks has already drafted three point guards, four guards and four playmakers in recent years, and according to team reporter Eric Slater, it is hard to imagine him passing on a guard again. Brown Jr., a 20-year-old, 1.93-meter Louisville product, appears to be the leading candidate after three meetings with the Nets. He told Sports Channel, “They told me there is no such thing as too many playmakers on one team.”

Wagler, a 19-year-old Illinois star, canceled a planned workout with Brooklyn after already training for Chicago and the Clippers, while Acuff, a 19-year-old Arkansas guard, reportedly wants to land with Sacramento at No. 7. His former coach John Calipari called him special and said any team that passes on him will regret it. Saraf would prefer Brooklyn not take a guard, but his size, 1.98 meters, and his defense could help him keep minutes anyway, especially if Traore proves easier to displace than he does.

The Nets are also exploring trades and could add another first-round pick, with the No. 43 selection still in hand. They have needs beyond the backcourt, especially after trading Nicolas Claxton to Chicago and with Julius Randle already moving ahead of Denny Wolf in the frontcourt hierarchy. If Michael Porter Jr. is also traded, more wing minutes could open up.

One target could be Spanish center Adai Mara, a 21-year-old, 2.21-meter Michigan champion whose stock is rising and who may fit coach Jordi Fernandez perfectly. Mara, who has a 2.97-meter standing reach and rare passing ability for his size, is projected to go around picks 8 to 11. Brooklyn would likely need to pass on a guard at No. 6 to get him, which would also suit Saraf and Wolf better. The Nets know they cannot afford many mistakes on a night that could shape their rebuild.