Next month, the Boston Celtics will likely add two new prospects to their roster at the 2025 NBA Draft. Making the most of their selections has never been more important, as the team will aim to shed salary in order to get beneath the league's second apron line this offseason.
In order for the Cs to avoid the harsh penalties that come with spending over that $207 million threshold, they'll have to find a way to save roughly $20 million. The second apron isn't going anywhere, either. Drafting well this year (and in the future) is a great way to build an affordable roster.
Getting strong production from whomever they draft with picks 28 and 32 is the first step in that process.
Ratiopharm Ulm guard Ben Saraf is a player to watch for the Celtics. Draft experts from Tankathon and ESPN each predicted Boston picking Saraf in their respective mock drafts, just with different picks. Regardless, that's a good indicator that the six-foot-five playmaker will be on the board when it's time for Brad Stevens and company to make their selections.
The 19-year-old appeared in 50 games for Ratiopharm Ulm in the 2024-25 season, playing about 23.5 minutes in each outing. Saraf averaged 12.4 points, 4.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 45.6% from the field and 30.8% from beyond the arc.
Does Ben Saraf make sense for the Celtics?
Yeah, for the most part. Adding another guard makes sense for Boston, especially considering the inevitable roster moves coming this summer. Key players like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis are top candidates to be traded in financially fueled deals, leaving both the guard and center rotations a little thin.
The Celtics could enter next season with both Payton Pritchard and Derrick White in the starting lineup and JD Davison as the lone guard off the bench. Adding Saraf to the mix would give them some extra depth at the very least.
If Boston were to draft Saraf, they'd probably be getting much more than just depth. The Israel native's greatest strength is his playmaking. He's comfortable with the ball in his hands, running the pick-and-roll, and getting downhill. When watching his film, it's tough not to be excited by some of the creativity that he passes with. Bounce passes, lobs, ambidextrous pocket passes, no-look dimes; Saraf does it all.
When he's not dishing to his teammates, Saraf is a crafty finisher at the rim. He's not an uber-athlete, but he's great at controlling his body and getting to his spots. Once he's there, his lefty floater and incredible touch make him dangerous for opposing defenses. With that being said, scouting reports point out that Saraf relies on his left a little too much. Developing as a right-handed finisher would serve him well.
Offensively, his biggest weakness is his shot, specifically off the dribble. Saraf sank just 15.6% of his off-dribble threes and 41% of his off-dribble twos. While that skill isn't everything, it's important to be a multi-level scoring threat in the pick-and-roll. His lack of a pull-up jumper will make it easier for defenses to run drop coverage against him, which isn't great for spacing.
Some silver lining with Saraf's shooting touch is that he's shown promise as a catch-and-shoot guy. He was far more efficient in those (limited) spots at 37.5%, compared to the rough numbers above. That, combined with his 75.3% clip from the free-throw line, leaves the door open for him to develop as a shooter in the pros.
By all accounts, he's pretty average on defense.
"He has average lateral quickness and isn’t too strong, making him a target on defense," wrote Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor. "Perhaps over time if he gets stronger and focuses more energy into defense, he could tap into some versatility at his size."
At just 200 pounds, there's definitely room for Saraf to put on muscle and continue to develop his body as he matures. At the very least, his six-foot-five frame gives him the potential to be a switchable defender down the line.
They're not the exact same player, but Saraf and Baylor Scheierman have some overlap. Both lefties, both smart playmakers, and are both about the same height. It might be redundant to use a pick on Saraf for the Celtics if they feel good about Scheierman. With all of the talent on Boston's roster, it's tough to imagine a ton of ball-handling opportunities for Saraf. He'd likely be asked to do a lot of what Scheierman does, which is, again, redundant.
Nonetheless, he's an exciting prospect, and no one should be disappointed if he does wind up with the Cs.
For a more in-depth look at potential Celtics prospects, check out the "How 'Bout Them Celtics" draft preview, where Jack Simone and I run through plenty of names with No Ceilings' Tyler Rucker.