After the Brooklyn Nets most recent trade acquisition they now have five first-round picks heading into the 2025 NBA Draft, a rare luxury, and a clear sign that they are positioned to take some educated swings. One name that should be at the top of their radar with the newly acquired 22nd pick? Nolan Traore.
Traore is not the most talked-about guard in this class anymore, but he should be. The 6’5” French floor general was once projected as a top-10 pick before injuries and inconsistent stretches dimmed the spotlight. Still, the upside remains, and in the right setting, he could flourish. The Nets might be the perfect place for him.
What separates Traoré from the average developmental guard is his elite burst. He might be the fastest player in this draft, with a first step that burns defenders and a change-of-pace style that makes him tough to contain. His recent success in the FIBA Champions League in 2024-25, where he was named Best Young Player with Saint-Quentin in France’s top league, shows he already has the potential of making some big waves on a big stage.
Here is what really makes him intriguing for Brooklyn: he competes on both ends.
Traore is not just a one trick pony, he is also a pest defensively. He is always in passing lanes, constantly disrupting opponents. I would not say he is a lockdown point-of-attack defender just yet, but he has shown real flashes, with his fast hands, good anticipation, and a motor that does not quit. His energy translates, and with added strength, there is no reason he can’t become a plus defender at the NBA level.
For the Nets, a team still carving out an identity, adding a two-way guard who plays with pace and edge could be exactly the type of player that they need. They desperately need a backcourt spark, and Traore brings not just speed and playmaking, but defensive activity and toughness. He would be a great fit on the roster.
And at the number 22 slot of the draft, the value lines up.
When you have the luxury of holding five first-rounders, you can afford to take a gamble. This would not be considered reckless, it would be a calculated play. Traore may take two to three years to fully blossom, but the flashes are already there, and the Nets, with their developmental structure and growing young core, are in the right position to bring it out of him.