Nolan

Traore

The Nets are once again without Mikel Brown Jr., and his absence has given Traoré more minutes. After an underwhelming rookie campaign, Traoré needs a strong preseason to earn more minutes, especially with Egor Dëmin on track to start at point guard. While he played well against the Wizards, Traoré is still in a position where he should only be rostered in dynasty leagues.

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.

Traoré was initially questionable for Sunday’s game. Ben Saraf has served as the starting point guard in recent games, so Traoré’s absence would not change anything there.

Traoré has come off the bench in recent games, with fellow rookie Ben Saraf handling the starting point guard responsibilities. That will remain the case on Sunday, regardless of Traoré’s availability.

Saraf has reached double figures in scoring in three consecutive games, one shy of his season-best run. The Nets’ rookie recorded a complete stat line against the Bucks and played 41 minutes. Nolan Traoré (14 points, four rebounds, three steals, one block and one three-pointer) has served as the backup, with Nets decision-makers and the coaching staff taking a longer look at Saraf. That should remain the rotation for Sunday’s season finale against the Raptors.

Traoré led the Nets in points, assists and three-pointers in the win over the Wizards on Sunday. The 19-year-old guard continues to improve his future standing in the organization with a strong finish to the season. Traoré and the Nets have four games in the final week of the regular season, so there’s still time for him to make an impression before the offseason begins.

Traoré played a team-high 29 minutes in Friday’s defeat, and the rookie has started every game that he’s been available for since January 29. The final few games of the regular season will be important for Traoré and fellow rookies Drake Powell (6/2/4/2/1) and Ben Saraf (2/2/4) as the Nets’ decision-makers continue to evaluate them with an eye toward 2026-27. The Nets finish their Week 23 slate on Sunday against the Wizards.

Traoré likely would’ve replicated his stat line from Sunday’s win over the Kings when he had 17 points and six assists, but he only played 23 minutes with the Nets losing by so much. The Nets have two games remaining in Week 23, with a matchup against the Hawks coming on Friday.