The Nets introduced Monday that rookies Drake Powell and Ben Saraf have been assigned to the staff’s G League affiliate, and the timing of their newest stint in Lengthy Island couldn’t be higher.
Brooklyn defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 119–101 on Saturday at Barclays Heart, securing its third win in 4 video games on an evening when Powell and Saraf logged 21 and 20 minutes, respectively. And after failing to qualify for the knockout rounds of the NBA Cup, the Nets gained’t return to motion till Friday, once they go to the Dallas Mavericks at American Airways Heart.
The Nets will follow 3 times earlier than then, capped by a closing tune-up Thursday earlier than flying to Dallas. In the meantime, Lengthy Island has video games towards the School Park Skyhawks and Westchester Knicks on Tuesday and Wednesday, giving the rookies an opportunity to log priceless reps within the G League earlier than probably rejoining the massive membership for Friday’s matchup in Dallas.
Powell and Saraf have skilled very completely different rookie seasons. Powell handled minor accidents early on and didn’t solidify his function within the rotation till Nov. 7. Saraf, in the meantime, opened the yr because the staff’s place to begin guard for the primary 5 video games earlier than falling out of the rotation completely and spending an prolonged stretch within the G League to recalibrate.
By his first 16 appearances, Powell has averaged 6.3 factors, 1.8 rebounds and a pair of.1 assists, whereas Saraf has averaged 5.4 factors, 1.6 rebounds and a pair of.8 assists in his first 12. Powell ranks ninth on the staff in complete steals with 13, and Saraf sits eighth in complete assists with 34, regular contributions for 2 late-first-round rookies thrust into significant minutes on a rebuilding staff.
Whereas Powell was assigned and recalled twice throughout Lengthy Island’s coaching camp in October, Tuesday would mark his very first G League sport if he performs. Saraf, in the meantime, has appeared in 4 video games for Lengthy Island this season, averaging 14.3 factors, 3.3 rebounds and three.8 assists whereas displaying the tempo, downhill playmaking and confidence head coach Jordi Fernández has been pushing him to rediscover.
For the Nets, this window is completely positioned. Brooklyn is coming off its most encouraging week of the season — one that includes improved offense, sharper protection and a dominant outing from Michael Porter Jr. — however the rotation stays in flux. With three off days earlier than the Dallas journey, significant in-game improvement time is tough to come back by on the NBA stage. Lengthy Island offers precisely that.
The G League additionally provides one thing else: freedom. Powell and Saraf may have room to stretch their video games, make errors and tackle bigger offensive roles with out risking Brooklyn’s latest momentum. For Powell, it’s an opportunity to sharpen his taking pictures and ballhandling whereas persevering with to construct defensive consistency. For Saraf, it’s a possibility to fortify his decision-making, particularly after Fernández’s latest push for him to enhance his assist-to-turnover ratio and keep aggressive with out forcing performs.
Each rookies have earned Brooklyn’s confidence. Now they get a quick, well-timed runway so as to add extra layers to their video games. If all goes properly, Powell and Saraf will arrive in Dallas sharper, extra assured and higher ready to assist a Nets staff that all of a sudden appears to be like much more aggressive than it did a month in the past.
