The Brooklyn Nets have won one game since the All-Star Break and are currently the third-worst team in the NBA by record at 16-47.
Fans have been rooting for losses as the Nets are racing the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, and Washington Wizards for the highest odds of the number-one overall pick. The end-of-season tank-a-thon is in full swing.
Last draft, Sean Marks and the Nets took a chance with five first-round picks. The rookies have experienced significant development over the course of the year, largely thanks to head coach Jordi Fernandez.
But none of them have been able to transform this program overnight or prove their keep as the centerpiece of the franchise. This year’s class is much deeper with many exciting “can’t-miss” prospects – hence the race for a top lottery pick.
However, recently, Nolan Traore has climbed the rookie rankings after an excellent February, serving as the Nets’ primary ball handler, following a season spent mostly with Long Island in the G-League or coming off the bench.
This recent emergence could provide some stability to the roster and provide some clarity on the Nets’ draft direction come June.
This year’s class is particularly guard-heavy. Many thought the Nets would pursue Darryn Peterson or Kingston Flemings. But it seems fans are becoming increasingly excited about some of the top front-court prospects in AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson.
Because those front-court players have seemingly risen to the top of many boards, Marks and Fernandez’s philosophy of drafting the best player available over fit is shifting many fans’ focus away from the guards.
Traore Flourished in February
Nolan Traore started in all 12 of the Nets’ games in February, averaging 12.2 points while shooting 43% from the floor – his best scoring numbers this year, showing an improvement in his confidence and ability to get to the rim.
Fernandez has implemented double-screens and made him more comfortable in the pick-and-roll, maximizing Traore’s speed and vision.
He has been taking better shots, which has massively improved his scoring production. But Traore is also finding more open shooters while orchestrating the offense. His assist percentage has jumped to 29.3% in February, ranking 15th among players who played in 10 or more games.
Traore continues to develop as both a scoring weapon and a playmaker. Earlier in the month, he notched his first double-double with 13 points and 13 assists against the Bulls, setting a Nets rookie record for most assists in a game since the 2012 relocation. As he becomes more confident, he could have some unexpected longevity in the Nets’ backcourt.
Embracing Tank, Commitment to Development
With countless tough opponents left this season, it’s entirely possible the Nets don’t win another game this year, especially since they are in the race for the top pick in the draft.
But they can’t throw away the rest of the season, and Fernandez is not the type to intentionally lose games anyway. This is still a great opportunity to increase their lottery percentage while seeing how rookies like Traore stack up against some of the league’s best guards and defenses.
Even after a February that elevated him to a real scoring threat and a truly exciting playmaker in the starting position, the Frenchman has been far from perfect.
As a starter, he is averaging 3.1 Turnovers per game, which would be top-20 in the league. This is also up from his overall average of 2.1. In his last three games, he has turned it over 13 times, including a six-turnover game against the Miami Heat. That performance was his worst all year, and teammate Ben Saraf was just as bad.
But the Nets will continue to be patient with his development and help him become more comfortable using his speed and crafty playmaking.
Early on, scouts said Traore would need reps in an NBA offense to get more comfortable, which we see pretty much game by game. He is also young, at 19, and emerging much sooner than most expected. He was seen as a heavy project player and is already running an offense as the primary ball handler. That part is encouraging at the very least.
Guard of the Future
Traore has an impressively high ceiling. It’s going to take a labor of love from Fernandez to squeeze the juice out of Traore, but Jordi is enjoying the fruits of that labor much earlier than anyone thought he would. And even through the horrid record, Traore continues to impress in the league, especially the fellow Frenchman Victor Wembanyama.
The patience is paying off for now, and fans patiently wait to see how Marks will move this coming draft cycle. Again, Marks tends to draft based on the best available. But this year’s top picks are so contentious that there is no clear best available player.
The Nets absolutely shouldn’t pass on generational talent. Still, the front office could certainly be swayed to pick a player like Dybansta, Boozer, or even Wilson to fit Fernandez’s vision better.
Nolan Traore’s emergence, exponential growth, and high ceiling could provide some clarity into the decision-making heading into such a deep, guard-heavy draft class.
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