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Putting aside the denizens of HSS Training Center, the person with the biggest stake in Nolan Traore’s development is none other than Victor Wembanyama who likely will be Traore’s point guard on Les Bleus, the French national team going forward.
“[Nolan’s] very young, and he was even younger in 2024 when we were preparing for the Olympics,” Wemby said after the Spurs game. “And already, what I noticed from him was the maturity and the way he could control the game. And the way that whoever the opponent is doesn’t matter. He’s got real guts, and I believe that’s a guy who will have incredible growth over his career.”
Traore has other fans in the NBA. On Tuesday night, Heat coach Eric Spoelstra was asked about the Nets guard.
“When guys get opportunities and are given extended time there can be surprises. Last time we played them there was another young guard we were preparing for. He’s just different. He’s played well and they’ve played well,” Spoelstra said of Traore and Egor Demin.
The 6’3” Traore, the sixth youngest player in the NBA at 19, has shown how the Nets made a great move in taking him at No. 19 nine months ago. On Tuesday, he got honorable mention in the Rookie of the Month voting. Considering where he was at the beginning of this season before he went to the G League. Ever people inside the organization had their doubts. No longer.
As Brian Lewis wrote Tuesday,
Through the Nets’ first 23 games — well over a quarter of the way through the season — Traoré looked overwhelmed, not physically, but mentally.
Despite obvious quickness, he rarely looked comfortable, much less confident. As fast as Traoré was, the game was clearly sped up for him. He was moving at 100 mph, and didn’t know how or when to use his first step or athleticism.
Since his stint in Long Island, the point guard from the Paris suburbs has taken off. He is averaging 13.7 points, 5.7 assists and 1.5 steals over his past 11 outings. In the month of February, Traoré totaled 67 assists, which was 30 more than any other rookie in the Eastern Conference, as C.J. Holmes of the Daily News noted. Leaguewide, Traoré ranked 13th in the NBA in total assists for the month, wedged into a list filled with veteran lead guards.
His coach, a big part of the development being seen around the league, said he and Wembanyama are in sync.
“I agree with Wemby,” Fernández said. ”Well said by him. I think Nolan is doing it on his own. He works with Corey [Vinson, an Nets assistant]. Does a great job. He’s helped him learn how the NBA works with his teammates.
“Going through the games. He’s always believed that he belongs. He always fights back. He’s getting to be the voice and the presence that we believe he is. He’s not there yet because we also believe his ceiling is much higher. These last 23 games are huge for him.”
A number of those games will be played without Egor Demin, who has been resting after an equally intensive start of his career.
- Nolan Traore’s growth as Nets point guard has the NBA taking notice ($) – Brian Lewis – New York Post
- Nets’ Nolan Traoré’s February by the numbers: 67 assists and a new role ($) – C.J. Holmes – New York Daily News
- Victor Wembanyama praises potential Olympic teammate Nolan Traore amid encouraging start with Nets – Erik Slater – Clutch Points