Nolan Traoré records 17 points in 20 minutes

Traoré is dealing with a sore right calf and could miss a game for the first time this season. Egor Dëmin is on track to return from a leg injury, so he could be first in line to run the point if Traoré can’t play.

While he didn’t add much value in the assist column, Traoré extended his streak of double-digit scoring to five games. After a disappointing rookie season, the second-year guard has started the Nets’ last seven games and appears unlikely to give up that spot anytime soon. Traoré is rostered in 42 percent of Yahoo leagues, which is a fair number at this point in the season.

One day removed from scoring 16 points and making four three-pointers, Traoré was more productive on Monday. The second-year guard shot 5-of-6 from beyond the arc and scored 11 of his 17 points in the first half. Playing 24 minutes, Traoré recorded a complete stat line against the Knicks. While he may not be a must-roster player in 12-team leagues, managers in deeper formats should watch Traoré.

Having started the Nets’ last three games, Traoré’s production has been inconsistent. He rebounded nicely from a poor outing against the Pistons on Friday, scoring in double figures for the third time in four games. Traoré shot 4-of-8 from beyond the arc and committed one turnover in 30 minutes. Monday’s matchup against the Knicks will be more challenging, and Mikel Brown Jr. (back) should be available, which may limit Traoré’s ceiling.

Dëmin’s absence could mean some spot starts for Keon Ellis, who started the first three games of the season and started the second half of Tuesday’s game after

Dëmin was injured. Nolan Traore could remain in the starting lineup and join Ellis there.

Traoré got off to a good start on Tuesday, scoring 10 points in the first half. Unfortunately, he was relatively quiet after halftime and left the game in the fourth quarter with cramps. Over his last two games, Traoré has totaled 32 points, eight assists, three steals and two blocks. He was inserted into the starting lineup on Tuesday, and the results were encouraging. Traoré isn’t a must-roster player, but he’s worth adding to watch lists in deep leagues.

One game removed from recording 17 points and five assists, Traoré has been rewarded with his first start of the season. He replaces Keon Ellis, who will come off the bench. The change also means that Dëmin will spend more time off the ball, which could help him get going after a slow start to the season.

After scoring 20 points in his first Las Vegas appearance on Friday, Brown did not play against the Hawks on Saturday. Back in action on Tuesday, the rookie point guard put together a solid floor game in Brooklyn’s 32-point victory. Given what the Nets saw from the point guards they selected in the first round of last year’s draft, Nolan Traoré and Ben Saraf, Brown should have every opportunity to earn significant rotation minutes when training camp opens in the fall. He’s looked up to the task thus far, and Brown’s back has not been an issue after missing 14 games at Louisville last season.

Four of the Nets’ 2025 first-round picks are expected to be available during Summer League in some capacity, with Traoré being the exception. According to Nets lead executive Sean Marks, the 6-foot-3 guard recently had his knee scoped. Traoré appeared in 56 games last season, starting 31, and he averaged 8.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.1 three-pointers in 22.2 minutes. With Egor Dëmin and Ben Saraf in the mix, not to mention 2026 lottery pick Mikel Brown Jr., Traoré will face significant competition for playing time when training camp opens in the fall.

Traoré was downgraded to doubtful earlier in the day and has now officially been ruled out. Ben Saraf should continue to start at point guard for Brooklyn, though he may see extra minutes with Traoré out. The 19-year-old is simply going to have to shoot better than 38 percent from the field to have any chance of being a fantasy asset. He’s still young, and he did spike some good games from an assists perspective down the stretch, but that’s about all there is here for fantasy purposes.