Nolan Traore’s growth as Nets point guard has the NBA taking notice

In December, none of the Nets’ five rookies had played less than Nolan Traoré. Or worse.

But over the past month, none of them have played more than the 19-year-old point guard. Or better.

Growth in the NBA isn’t always linear or steady, but Traoré’s has been as fast as his blistering first step. After looking lost earlier in the season, the young Frenchman now is drawing praise from the best player his country has ever produced and compliments from the best point guard the Nets have ever had.

While the Nets will drag a league-worst eight-game losing skid into Miami on Tuesday, Traoré is on an uptick. He is averaging 13.7 points, 5.7 assists and 1.5 steals over his past 11 outings.