Back when they were drafted and even into the season, there were doubts — a lot of them — about the Nets top two picks: Egor Demin, the 19-year-0ld Russian guard selected with Brooklyn’s first lottery
pick in 15 years, and Nolan Traore, an even younger French guard selected with a mid-first round pick.
Many, how about most, pundits thought both were taken too high or worse. Demin couldn’t shoot, the narrative went, and he was coming off a plantar fascia issue that had put him a wheelchair for a while. Traore was seen as a long-term project at best who needed a lot of time in the G League. There were concerns about whether he was even an NBA player. Oh yeah, he couldn’t shoot either.
Fast forward to this week and a lot of those concerns now seem to have been exaggerated or maybe even foolish. After all., they were very young — the 11th and sixth youngest of 540 NBA players — and needed time to develop. Bottom line, as Tom Cruise told Renee Zellwegger in “Jerry Maguire”, it’s about complementing each other.
“Yes, we complete each other, and we play great [together],” Traore told Brian Lewis of The Post. “He is a good shooter, and it is always good for me to play with good shooters.”
For his part, Demin has said that Traore’s ability to fly past defenders and open things up on the perimeter is a big help to his shooting. And while they haven’t played a lot minutes together — including Monday night when Demin rested and Traore had his best game — the numbers are catching up to the eye test. We’re no longer in small sample theater.
Look at the six games that Demin and Traore have started since January 29. Demin has averaged 11.7 points on 43/38/83 in those games while Traore has put up 11.0 points on 49/37/78. Those are not huge numbers but for teenagers, they’re more than solid. Indeed, they go a long way to justifying the Nets decision-making. And within that stretch, Demin has twice broken his career highs in points with games of 25 and 26 plus once in rebounds at 10 and registered his first NBA double double. Traore also notched his first double-double within that stretch and had career highs in points — 21 twice — and assists at 13. Moreover, Demin set an NBA rookie record for 3-pointers in consecutive games and Traore became the youngest player in Nets history to register 10 assists in a game. Together they became the two youngest rookies in franchise history to register 20 points in the same game.
For Traore, it has to be particularly encouraging considering his slow start.
“Each time you improve, and when you go out and improve a level it shows progress. It’s hard in the beginning, and then it becomes easier,” Traore told Lewis, adding of his improved finishing, “I think it’s just the work; the work I put in every day. And then I’m just getting used to the speed of the game.”
Their coach is also encouraged by how they’re progressed as individuals and teammates.
“I like the creation,” coach Jordi Fernández said. “Nolan is able to get into the paint early in possessions, whether it’s to finish or spray it out. We’re starting to see us play earlier, which is good.
“He and Egor can both create. … The next step is the level of physicality. Them being rookies will never be an excuse. They’ve got to use those minutes to improve their technique and learn how to play with more physicality right now.”
That said, he told Lewis he sees the potential.
“I don’t see it as one guy covering for the other: I like the shooting from both of them. Nolan’s not shy when he’s open. We’ve seen Egor shoot at a very high level. Nolan’s speed, his paint touches and pick-and-roll playmaking, same with Egor. … They have clear goals, short-term things they need to do on both ends. As long as they keep taking those steps they’re doing a great job and that’s what matters.”
What may also matter in June, as Lewis notes, is how the Nets will see the 2026 Draft with its plethora of guards. Darryn Peterson, Kingston Flemings and Mikel Brown Jr. all are “on-ball dynamos.” With a little luck, the Nets could have their choice and Sean Marks & co. always professes that it’s about best pick available. We shall see.
