The rookie continues his breakthrough with an unprecedented performance against the Bulls

Nolan Traore is a breakthrough piece with Brooklyn Nets it’s starting to look like it’s not a coincidence. The rookie, who has started the last six games, led the Nets to a 123-115 victory over the Bulls on Monday.

Traore scored 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting with 13 assists and just three turnovers in the win. The 19-year-old’s pick-and-roll game fueled a Nets offense that was missing Michael Porter Jr. and Yegor Demin.

Traore picked apart Chicago’s defense, consistently penetrating the paint and finding spot-up shooters, cutters and big men. Brooklyn scored 1.68 points per possession on direct screens set for Traore, the most efficient performance by a player who received at least 25 screens in a game this season, according to Synergy Sports and the All City NBA Podcast.

Nets rookie Nolan Traore is making the most of the starting point guard opportunity

While the rookie was named the fastest player in this year’s draft class, harnessing his speed was a challenge early on. Traore consistently penetrated the paint earlier this season but struggled to take advantage.

Traore admitted on Monday that his game is slowing down with the extra repetitions. Fernandez pointed to the French general’s improved pace and patience as the driving force behind his recent success.

Before, everything was rushed and (he) tried to go too fast,” the coach said. “Now he can go from fast to slow, and from slow to fast. You see how well he plays and how confident he plays… I trust him. He fights in defense. That’s good to see. We’ll continue to see it grow.”

Traore’s 8.1 assists per 100 possessions ranks third among all rookies who have played over 500 minutes this season, trailing only Ryan Nembhardt (12.4) and Walter Clayton Jr. (8.3), who are both three years older.

NBA rookie assists leader per 100 possessions (minimum 500 minutes):

1. R. Nembhard: 12.4
2. V. Clayton Jr.: 8.3
3. N. Traore: 8.1
4. D. Harper: 7.8
5. D. Queen: 7.6
6. E. Demin: 6.4
7. C. Flag: 5.7
8. C. Love: 5.7
9. V. Edgecombe: 5.7
10. Jeremiah fears: 5.4

Nembhard and…

— Eric Slater (@erikslater_) February 10, 2026

Nets starting center Nick Claxton, who scored a game-high 28 points against the Bulls, was one of the main beneficiaries of Traore’s improved play.

“He figures out how to use his speed and knows when to go and when to slow down. He’s extremely quick and can touch the paint almost every play,” Clacton said. “He reminds me a little of Dennis Schroeder. He was always able to get into the paint at will. Dennis has been in the league for 10-plus years, and Nolan is only in his first year. He’s learning on the fly, throwing himself into the fire, but he’s doing a great job. And tonight he really showed the work he showed with the coaches.”

Traore has emerged as Brooklyn’s primary ball handler during the team’s recent stretch. He forced his way into Brooklyn’s starting lineup with his high-level play, beating out fellow rookie Yegor Demin at guard.

“The next step (for Nolan) is getting his voice up, deciding when to call something early or late and organizing his teammates,” Fernandez said. “That’s very important. He doesn’t have to look at me all the time. I want him to own and lead the team. He’s done a very good job and I believe he’ll keep getting better.”

The trust of his head coach will be very important for the rookie as he tries to establish himself as the Nets point guard of the future.

“He trusts me a lot on the ball, and that’s very important for me,” Traore said. “Sometimes I can call the plays, sometimes he can, and we’re building that relationship. And it’s going to get better over time.”