This story was graciously written for NetsDaily by Elliott Caillot, a French student currently enrolled at Butler University. Though Caillot works for The Playoffs, a French-language sports outlet, he was recently credentialed for a few Brooklyn Nets games and practices during a trip to New York. Caillot also conducted a lengthy interview with rookie Nolan Traore in their native tongue; we will link the full video of their conversation below. You can keep up with Caillot’s work on Twitter, here,
or Instagram, here.
The NBA rarely waits. For rookies, the learning curve is immediate and often unforgiving. For Nolan Traore, the transition has been about absorbing pace, physicality, and expectations while staying patient and steadily building confidence.
Still early in his first NBA season — and at just 19 years old — Traore is navigating a demanding schedule, a young locker room, and the delicate balance between development and opportunity. Speaking after practice on December 31, the Nets guard reflected on his physical condition, the value of his G League stint, and what comes next as he works to establish himself in Brooklyn.
“That’s when you realize this is the NBA”
Physically, Traore says he’s holding up well despite the grind of the NBA schedule: “I feel good. We were on a good run. We lost the last one, but overall the momentum has been positive.”
That rhythm, however, didn’t come automatically. After spending time with Long Island earlier in the season, adjusting back to the NBA cadence required yet another mental and physical shift.
Traore admitted that finding a rhythm amidst the chaos was “difficult, yeah. In the G League, there are fewer games and more practices. I didn’t play the entire first half of the season in Brooklyn.”
Like any rookie, the #19 overall pick has already experienced plenty of moments that put the jump in perspective. When asked if one stood out, however, he didn’t hesitate: “Stephen Curry. In the last game, he really cooked us. That’s when you realize — yeah, this is the NBA.”
There’s another matchup he’s been waiting for, even if it hasn’t happened yet: “Kyrie Irving … but he’s injured right now.”
Beyond the step up in competition, his NBA adjustment has also required adaptation as a playmaker: “I have the ball less because there are other big players. But there’s more space, and guys can really shoot. If they’re open, it’s easier.”
A young locker room, a growing connection
Inside the Nets’ locker room, youth defines the atmosphere — and the 19-year-old guard has quickly found his place: “I’m closest with the rookies, in general.”
With five rookies on the roster, competition could have complicated the dynamic. Early-season minutes for Ben Saraf and Egor Dëmin meant lesser opportunity for Traore, but he instead describes a supportive environment: “It’s a lot, but it’s good. We’re a young team, good guys, everything’s been smooth.”
Naturally that mindset extends to the competition for minutes: “You just keep playing and showing what you can do. Competition is always there, whether guys are young or not.”
Egor Dëmin, the Nets rookie who has logged the most minutes so far this season, also spoke about his growing relationship with the French guard. “I’ve known Nolan since the youth teams in Europe. At that time, we didn’t really communicate much. Since then, we’ve had time to build a relationship and develop chemistry as teammates.”
“I’m really proud of him,” Dëmin continued. “He came in with confidence and brought his game with him. He’s a pretty unique player because of his physical abilities — his speed, his mindset — and he’s also a smart player.”
The oddest thing about the Nets locker room? Brooklyn has spared its rookies the usual initiation rituals, perhaps because there’s so many of them.
“No rookie duties,” Traore said with a smile. “We don’t really have any vets, and everyone’s chill.”
Outside the locker room, the Créteil native says adapting to New York has been relatively seamless, helped by a familiar support system: “I’m not alone here, my girlfriend is with me. And New York is like Paris. There’s noise, people everywhere — you get used to it quickly.”
Not that Traore is out exploring the town too often. When the schedule allows for downtime, recovery takes priority: “I rest a lot … It takes a lot of energy.”
One aspect of life in the U.S., however, stood out immediately: “The size of the buildings. You look up and it’s crazy.”
From Long Island to Brooklyn
Professionally, Traore points to his G League assignment as a pivotal moment in his development: “It helped me a lot. I wasn’t playing with the Nets, so it gave me minutes and confidence. I could do what I know how to do.”
During his time with Long Island, the developmental focus was clear for the former Saint-Quentin guard: “My shot, getting rhythm and confidence so I could come back here and do the same thing. Getting a lot of reps changes everything.”
“He took full advantage of the opportunities he had with Long Island,” said Head Coach Jordi Fernández. “And when he came back here, he did so with a different spirit and a lot more confidence.”
Beyond production, Fernández has noticed a meaningful shift in his approach, particularly in how he handles adversity: “Early on, he would get stuck on mistakes, even in his body language. Now, when he makes a mistake, he moves on to the next play. That’s a clear sign of growth.”
Traore describes the demanding relationship with his head coach as both natural and motivating: “He believes in me, but he wants more. That’s normal. You always want more. And I’m very demanding with myself too.”
What does Traore’s future hold?
Looking ahead, Traore’s objectives remain straightforward: “Doing the best I can and earning a solid place on the roster and in the rotation.”
When comparing development paths, he remains appreciative of where he came from: “I don’t know if it’s better than the NCAA, but if you get real minutes in the French league, it’s really good. I also played in a European competition, which helped even more.”
Of course, the NBA remains a work in progress. It will be for a long time. But count Jordi Fernández among the believers: “Sky’s the limit for him. We believe in him — that’s why he’s here — and we’re really happy with the way he’s developed.”
The talent is evident. The foundation has been built. For Nolan Traore, it’s simply about stacking days, earning trust, and turning learning moments into long-term production in Brooklyn.
