Nets’ Nolan Traore works to sustain quickness as season-long asset

Brooklyn — Nolan Traore, the Nets’ latest rookie, brings a rare weapon to the floor: speed. Traore has shown a first step that can turn potential stops into fast-break opportunities, but coach Jordi Fernández cautions that a quick start won’t be enough to sustain impact through an NBA season. The challenge is maintaining that edge from the opening minutes to the fourth quarter, not just in Game 1 but in Game 82.

Traore’s speed translates into tangible advantages, especially in the painted area where his acceleration can collapse defenses and create kick-out chances for shooters. His ability to beat the initial look can draw help and open the weak side for teammates. The Nets want him to convert pace into sustained physicality, a trait Fernández says is essential to thriving in the league. Sustaining that edge through the grind of NBA games remains the central question until the team sees it play out in real-game reps.

Traore arrived in Brooklyn with the speed that scouts highlighted as a defining attribute. The Nets view him as a longer-term asset who can grow into a two-way guard. In camp and early preseason appearances, Traore has flashed how a dash to the rim can prompt decisions by defenders and create angles for teammates on the perimeter. Brooklyn has stressed that the most valuable sequences are those that flow from sustained pressure rather than one-off bursts, a principle the rookie will be asked to apply as spacing and decision-making tighten in real games.

Brooklyn’s plan for Traore centers on development over immediate role insertion. The staff emphasizes growth and balance, letting his speed translate into consistent, repeatable decisions rather than flashy highlights. If Traore can sustain the same pace across four quarters, and if his paint touches continue to generate gravity for the defense, he could become a versatile option on the wing who helps stretch defenses and energize Brooklyn’s rebuilding effort.

As the Nets begin training camp and move into the preseason, Traore’s progress will be watched closely. Coaches will assess how his pace translates in practice and controlled environments, and whether he can maintain that edge as opponents adjust. The path forward will hinge on durability, decision-making under pressure, and the willingness to mix instinct with discipline. If the speed endures and translates into consistent production, Traore could provide Brooklyn with a developing asset whose speed becomes a long-term strength.