The Brooklyn Nets made five first-round picks this past year. With that many picks, the Nets were going to be forced to send some players to the G League to develop and get the playing time they may not have been receiving in the NBA.
Recently, Brooklyn sent 2025 first-round picks Ben Saraf, Nolan Traore, and Danny Wolf to the Long Island Nets to get more work in. However, it will be a short-lived first stint with Long Island for both Saraf and Wolf.
According to Brian Lewis of the New York Post, the Nets have recalled Saraf and Wolf, with both players expected to join the team for their next game.
Danny Wolf and Ben Saraf’s G League Games
GettyDanny Wolf and Ben Saraf were recalled from Long Island.
Wolf and Saraf were sent down to the G League last week to further develop. Neither were getting a lot of playing time for the Nets, and the team did not want the duo to rot away unused. Saraf started five games, but his minutes were low. Because of this, Brooklyn opted to allow them to get the playing time they needed with Long Island. Both players excelled in their two games played in the G League.
Wolf led the Long Island Nets in minutes per game (32.5), points (20.0), rebounds (12.0), and blocks (1.5) in his two games played. The 6-foot-11 center recorded a double-double in both games and is proving to be a force in the paint.
Wolf should slot into the backup center role in Brooklyn. Day’Ron Sharpe injured his hamstring during Sunday’s loss, and the Nets need someone to play valuable minutes as the backup big man if he is forced to miss extended time.
Saraf played 26.2 minutes per game with Long Island and averaged 18.5 points. The 26th overall pick is not someone who will crash boards hard or record many assists, but he can put up some points. He will also work hard on the defensive end of the court. He recorded two steals and two blocks in two games with Long Island.
The 19-year-old started five of his six games played in the NBA this season. He did not produce the way Brooklyn hoped he would, but his short stint in the G League showed he is worthy of an NBA roster spot. With Cam Thomas out for more than a few weeks, the Nets need a guard who can score. Saraf could be that guy if given the chance.
Nets’ Head Coach Jordi Fernandez Believes in the G League
GettyThe Brooklyn Nets are off to a 1-9 start this season.
Jordi Fernandez was a G League head coach before joining the NBA ranks. He has seen development happen at that level, and he believes in the process.
“Those three guys played at the end of the game [against Minnesota]… And now they have the opportunity to have real practices and real games. If we get the whole season with them, between playing in Long Island and the NBA, [playing] 60-plus games is a win. We believe they can compete at this [NBA] level. It’s just a process,” Fernandez said after Wolf, Saraf, and Traore were sent to the G League, per Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.
Wolf and Saraf have already proven they are NBA worthy. Brooklyn is waiting a little bit longer for Traore, but it should not be long until he is back. The Nets are off to a horrendous start to the season, and the development of their young players is going to be crucial to their success in the future.
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