Future Nets Backcourt Takes the Court
LAS VEGAS — Fans of the Brooklyn Nets can look forward to seeing their lottery picks from the last two years, Egor Demin and Mikel Braun Jr., take the floor against Sacramento in the upcoming summer league game on Tuesday. This matchup promises another opportunity to evaluate the potential of their future backcourt.
Both players, aged 20, were absent during Saturday’s loss to Atlanta. Braun had also missed the initial two games in the California Classic. However, their appearance together against the Kings is sure to excite the fanbase.
“That’s the plan,” said Dutch Gately, the Nets’ summer league coach. “We want to make the most of our day off, work a bit on Monday, and then be set for the Kings. Ideally, it would be great to bounce back from our first Summer League loss.”
The Nets brought Braun on board as the sixth overall pick in last month’s draft, opting for him over Darius Acuff Jr., who was selected shortly after by Sacramento. In his previous game against the Knicks, Braun delivered an impressive 20 points, shooting 6-of-12 from the field and 3-of-6 from three-point range.
In contrast, Acuff is currently averaging 19.5 points and 4.5 assists, but he does have 3.5 turnovers on a shooting percentage of 31.7% (26-of-82), alongside his strong defensive skills.
Ben Saraf has exhibited his typical aggressive play style, though he’s encountered some challenges with his shooting. Over two summer league contests, he’s managed to hit only 1-of-7 attempts, translating to a 27.3% accuracy from beyond the arc.
Gately pointed out that the key for Saraf is making the right reads on the court.
“Ben is one of our best finisher types in the paint,” Gately noted. “It’s really about evaluating: Is it time to take a shot? Or should he spread the ball around?” Sometimes, Saraf can get too committed to scoring, while other times he opts to pass—but it helps when he reads the defense fluidly.
“He has the ability to move effectively and pivot which can create space for his teammates,” Gately added. “When he doesn’t plant firmly with one foot, he risks turning the ball over.”
Despite being used more as a forward in this summer league, Danny Wolfe has reportedly gained roughly 10 pounds of muscle and refined his footwork to enhance his finishing around the basket.
“It’s about playing a little more physically, which helps me read the game better,” Wolfe remarked regarding his improvement in finishing plays. “With that, everything seems to slow down. I take better care of the ball and focus on my three-point shooting consistency.”
Nolan Traore won’t be participating in the Summer League due to a scoped surgery on his right knee. Nevertheless, he joined the team in Las Vegas and managed to take some good shots during Monday’s practice session. Similarly, Grant Nelson wasn’t in the game but did take part in practice that day.
