The Nets have now locked up four of their five first-round picks, officially signing French point guard Nolan Traore to his rookie scale contract on Friday, per Brian Lewis of The New York Post (Twitter links).
Brooklyn had announced deals for Egor Demin, Ben Saraf, and Danny Wolf on Thursday, but Traore’s deal was delayed while the paperwork following his buyout from Saint-Quentin in France got sorted out.
The Nets’ fifth first-rounder, Drake Powell, is part of a trade that can’t be finalized until Sunday, so he’ll likely sign his first NBA contract early next week.
Traore, who turned 19 last month, played a featured role with Saint-Quentin in France’s top basketball league (LNB Élite) in 2024/25, averaging 11.6 points and 5.1 assists on .392/.302/.701 shooting in 30 games (22.6 minutes per contest).
While shooting efficiency and turnovers are viewed as possible question marks for Traore, he has good size for a guard and is considered a talented play-maker and passer. He was long viewed as a potential 2025 lottery pick before his stock dipped a little during an up-and-down year overseas.
Assuming Traore – the No. 19 pick – signed for the maximum allowable 120% of his rookie scale amount, which is likely, his four-year contract will be worth about $18.46MM, with two guaranteed years followed by third- and fourth-year team options.
Traore is the key to BKN’s draft. If he can establish himself early on as their starting PG, with Demin then slotting in as the starting SG/SF, BKN’s unprecedented 5 man draft class will start looking pretty good. They can’t have 3 rookie PGs competing for playing time at the spot. It would be a wasted season.
Honestly don’t know Traore well. Going to chk out his videos. I just think it should have been Kasparas.
The scouting report on Traore says. He has the tools to be a real PG. speed and vision, handle. I hope he’s the one. Nets need a real PG.
Demin I like a lot. To me he’s a SF wing. Has excellent size and handle for his size. Plus he competes and is tough. I see big potential here. Both these kids are 19. So it will take time for them. Nets are super young now. So its all about development now.