When the Nets drafted three point guards in the most recent draft, it was unclear what the plan would be, other than tanking this season.
The team has noted that there can be multiple playmakers on the court at the same time, which so far hasn’t happened, not with Egor Dëmin in Brooklyn and the other two players at least designated as playing the position, Ben Saraf and Nolan Traore, either currently hurt (Saraf) or in the G-League (Traore).
But Traore has shown some potential recently with Long Island, putting up 15 points, nine assists and a pair of rebounds, as well as a steal and a block in their most recent game.
Nolan Traore’s strong play with the Long Island Nets, Brooklyn’s G-League team, has drawn the attention of head coach Jordi Fernández. NBAE via Getty Images
It was the No. 19 pick’s sixth straight game scoring in double figures, and his recent play caught the attention of Jordi Fernández in Brooklyn.
“Very good performance,’’ the head coach said before his team’s most recent loss to the Knicks on Monday. “I texted him. I watched the game. We want to play a competitive and winning game of basketball. It starts with the habits. I know he saw the ball go in [offensively], which [is something] you can’t always control. But you can control taking the right shots, making the right play.”
Traore has done a better job of that lately, and along with Danny Wolf, who the Nets are banking on becoming a playmaking forward, have provided reasons for optimism, even if they aren’t at the NBA level and the current Nets are in the midst of an ugly season.
“Those are consistent steps and we want to see this group competing at a high level, too,’’ Fernández said.