The Miami Heat finally made the difficult decision to trade Jimmy Butler ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline. After a deal to send him to the Phoenix Suns fell apart, the Golden State Warriors stepped in, taking on the risk of acquiring a 34-year-old star with one of the NBA’s most combustible personalities.
Butler and Draymond Green in the same locker room could either be the greatest pairing in league history or lead to chaos. Regardless, the Warriors, facing a shortage of options, took the gamble. Kevin Durant was unavailable at the last minute, and Stephen Curry is nearing the end of his career. The Warriors had to give Steph one last shot at a magical run.
Golden State urgently needed a player like Butler. Meanwhile, the Heat gains more financial flexibility and depth to their postseason roster. Andrew Wiggins should thrive in Miami’s system, while Davion Mitchell fits “Heat Culture” with his relentless defense. On top of that, Miami received a valuable first-round pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
If the season ended today, the Warriors’ pick would be 13th overall. While Golden State may win a few more games with Butler, Miami is likely to secure a solid mid-first-round pick in this deep draft. Miami has a history of drafting and developing talent well, and this presents an opportunity to build the future around rising stars like Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and Kel’el Ware.
Updated Heat Draft Picks and Mock Draft: Ben Saraf Could Be Miami’s Long-Term Point Guard
Miami’s own first-round pick is currently held by Oklahoma City, meaning their only first-round selection will come from the Warriors. Ironically, their second-round pick belongs to Golden State, leaving Miami with just one pick in the 2025 draft.
FanSided’s latest NBA mock draft has the Heat selecting Israeli point guard Ben Saraf with the Warriors’ pick. Ranked No. 9 on our big board, Saraf has been steadily improving with Ratiopharm Ulm, a top German club.
At 18 years old, Saraf is averaging 12.5 points and 4.3 assists with shooting splits of .465/.259/.695 while playing 24.0 minutes per game. Despite concerns about his inconsistent 3-point shooting and athleticism, Saraf’s size, creativity, and basketball IQ make him an intriguing prospect. The Heat’s track record of player development should boost confidence in his long-term shooting prospects.
Saraf’s jumper looks smooth, even if his shooting consistency is still developing. He’s particularly dangerous inside the arc, weaving past defenders and smoothly pulling up for mid-range shots. Standing at 6-foot-5, he is one of the draft’s craftiest ball handlers, with a deep arsenal of spin moves and counters. He plays at a unique tempo, capable of decelerating without notice and using his poise to throw defenders off balance.
He’s also a special passer, capable of making spectacular skip passes and lobs to rolling big men. Saraf excels in pick-and-roll situations, using his court vision to control the flow of the game. With a solid 1.5 assist-to-turnover ratio, he avoids making significant mistakes and should benefit from the spacing available in the NBA.
The major questions are whether Saraf can defend well enough and translate his touch into more consistent shooting, especially from the free-throw line and beyond the arc. Miami’s environment should set him up for success. He can relieve Tyler Herro of some pressure and help set up easy buckets for Adebayo or Ware.
