Nets' Ben Saraf Shines in Season Finale Loss to Raptors

Brooklyn locks up top-3 draft lottery odds with defeat in Toronto

Apr. 13, 2026 at 12:52am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented basketball players and a basketball court, rendered in a palette of navy, green, and orange, conveying the concept of a team in transition and rebuilding for the future.The Nets' season-ending loss to the Raptors marks the end of a difficult campaign, but also the beginning of a new era of hope and potential in Brooklyn.Brooklyn Today

The Brooklyn Nets (20-62) closed out their 2025-26 season with a 136-101 road loss to the Toronto Raptors (46-36). Despite resting several key players, second-year guard Ben Saraf stood out with 15 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in the defeat. The loss, combined with Indiana's result, secured the Nets a top-3 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, a critical step in the franchise's rebuilding efforts.

Why it matters

The Nets' dismal season was part of a strategic tank to maximize their odds of landing a high draft pick in a loaded 2026 class. While the losses piled up, the development of young players like Saraf provided hope for the future as the organization looks to build a sustainable winner.

The details

With the Nets locked into a bottom-3 record, they rested several starters against the playoff-bound Raptors. However, 2025 first-round pick Ben Saraf continued his strong finish to the season, showcasing his two-way potential. The Nets' front office is high on Saraf and the rest of their 2025 draft class, viewing them as the foundation for the team's next competitive era.

  • The Nets wrapped up their 2025-26 season on April 13, 2026.
  • The 2026 NBA Draft lottery will take place in May 2026.

The players

Ben Saraf

A second-year guard for the Brooklyn Nets, part of their promising 2025 draft class that the organization hopes will be the core of their next contending team.

Jordi Fernandez

The head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, tasked with developing the team's young talent during the rebuilding process.

Toronto Raptors

An NBA franchise based in Toronto, Canada, who clinched a playoff berth with a 46-36 record in the 2025-26 season.

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What they’re saying

“Ben Saraf is part of a very important 2025 draft class for the Nets. The front office is hopeful that the group of guys can be the foundation for the next winning group in Brooklyn.”

— SI.com

What’s next

The Nets will participate in the 2026 NBA Draft lottery in May, where they will have a top-3 pick odds to land a franchise-changing talent to pair with their young core.

The takeaway

Despite a dismal 2025-26 season, the Nets' strategic tank to secure a high draft pick has set the franchise up for a brighter future. The development of players like Ben Saraf, combined with a likely top-3 selection, gives the organization optimism that they can build a sustainable winner in the coming years.