Latest news with #NolanTraore
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Should the Boston Celtics take point guard Nolan Traore in the 2025 NBA draft?
Should the Boston Celtics take point guard Nolan Traore in the 2025 NBA draft? The French floor general flashes high upside, but at present is not a great defender or shooter, even if his passing is at a very high level for a prospect who is playing in a high-level league at just 19 years old. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 175 lbs., Traore is a little slight for the 1 even if he has enough height for the position at the NBA level, and logged 7.4 assists per game with LNB Pro A's Saint Quentin last season. Is he the sort of prospect it would be worth it for the Celtics to gamble on if he falls to Boston's range at Nos. 28 or 32? Advertisement The hosts of the CLNS Media "How Bout Them Celtics!" podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took some time on a recent episode of their show to talk it over. Check it out below! If you enjoy this pod, check out the "How Bout Them Celtics," "First to the Floor," and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network: This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Should the Celtics take guard Nolan Traore in the 2025 NBA draft?
USA Today
13 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Should the Boston Celtics take point guard Nolan Traore in the 2025 NBA draft?
Should the Boston Celtics take point guard Nolan Traore in the 2025 NBA draft? The French floor general flashes high upside, but at present is not a great defender or shooter, even if his passing is at a very high level for a prospect who is playing in a high-level league at just 19 years old. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 175 lbs., Traore is a little slight for the 1 even if he has enough height for the position at the NBA level, and logged 7.4 assists per game with LNB Pro A's Saint Quentin last season. Is he the sort of prospect it would be worth it for the Celtics to gamble on if he falls to Boston's range at Nos. 28 or 32? The hosts of the CLNS Media "How Bout Them Celtics!" podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took some time on a recent episode of their show to talk it over. Check it out below! If you enjoy this pod, check out the "How Bout Them Celtics," "First to the Floor," and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network:
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rookies Dallas Mavericks Should Target to Pair With Cooper Flagg in Trade Scenario
Rookies Dallas Mavericks Should Target to Pair With Cooper Flagg in Trade Scenario originally appeared on Athlon Sports. This Wednesday, players from all over the world will be waiting with bated breath to find out if their name will be called to join the elite in the NBA. The Dallas Mavericks own the first overall pick and are widely expected to draft the most talented player in this year's draft, Cooper Flagg from Duke. Advertisement However, the Mavericks have not been shy about their need for a point guard. Moreover, if they are taking a page out of the success of the Indiana Pacers, they are going to look for a guard who can create shots for both his teammates and himself. Rafael Barlowe, the co-host of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, said on a recent episode of their podcast that the Mavericks may be exploring ways to get back into the first round. If they are able to do this, they may consider drafting one of the following, should they be available. Nolan Traore, G France Nolan Traore, a 6-3 guard out of France, is widely considered to be one of the top prospects in this draft. If you take his stats from this past year, where he played for Saint-Quentin, and look at them per 36 minutes of play, he would have averaged 18.5 points, 8.1 assists, and 2.8 rebounds. Advertisement Two of the drawbacks with Traore are his shooting percentage from 3, and his turnover numbers. He struggled to shoot the ball from deep last year, logging a mere 30.4 percent from behind the arc. He also averaged 2.5 turnovers per game. These are areas that the Mavericks coaching staff would need to work with him on if he is going to take the reins until the possible return of Kyrie Irving. Nique Clifford, G/F Colorado State Nique Clifford is an intriguing prospect. A 6-6 guard from Colorado State is both a playmaker and a shooter. Last season, he averaged a career-high 18.9 points per game. He also contributed with 9.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He proved he can score at any level, averaging 49.6 percent from the floor as a whole and 37.7 percent from behind the arc. Advertisement Clifford could definitely be a great fit for the Mavericks as either a tall guard or if the opposing team is playing a small-ball lineup, he could slide down and play the small forward position and still be effective on the defensive end. He is also one of the older players in the draft, and his maturity may make him an instant plug-and-play type of player. Walter Clayton Jr, G Florida Walter Clayton Jr, fresh off the Florida Gators' national championship run, is another intriguing prospect that the Mavericks could target late in the first round. He is a 6-3 guard who can score at will, but also can facilitate the offense. He will do whatever is necessary for the team to win. Advertisement He averaged 18.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, while shooting a scorching 44.8 percent from the floor. He also shot nearly 38..6 percent from deep. He is a guard who could contribute and fit what the Mavericks need right away as someone to facilitate the offense, but occasionally knock down shots if needed. The Dallas Mavericks' offense last season, especially after the injury to Kyrie Irving, looked very stagnant at times. There seemed to be a thought process of getting Anthony Davis the ball, and then standing around and watching him try to score. They have to find someone who can get open shots for their scorers like Klay Thompson and PJ Washington Jr. Clayton Jr could very well fit that mold. Advertisement Related: Why Dallas Mavericks Must Think Twice Before Trading for Jrue Holiday Related: Fresh Intel Reveals Mavericks' Strong Stance on Cooper Flagg This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
02-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NBA: Nolan Traoré among prospects set for predraft camp in Italy
NBA: Nolan Traoré among prospects set for predraft camp in Italy French point guard Nolan Traoré is reportedly among the prospects who will participate in an international combine ahead of the 2025 NBA draft in Treviso, Italy. Traoré, the younger brother of Lakers rookie Armel Traoré, averaged 12.2 points, 4.7 assists and 1.9 rebounds on 41% shooting from the field in 44 games with Saint-Quentin in France. He registered seven 20-point games, including a 25-point effort on May 9. The 19-year-old will be joined by several other prospects who missed the combine last month due to their international obligations, including Joan Beringer (Cedevita Olimpija), Noa Essengue (ratiopharm Ulm) and Hugo González (Real Madrid), according to Erik Slater of Clutch Points. The group of players will participate in various measurements, medical examinations, on-court shooting drills and interviews with team executives. Last year, the likes of Zaccharie Risacher, Alexandre Sarr and Tidjane Salaün were among the prospects who participated in Italy. Following the predraft camp, they will have the opportunity to travel to the United States for team workouts once their respective seasons with their current teams are completed. The prospects are each considered potential first-round picks this year. The combine this year marks the second time prospects will be required to participate in drills and scrimmages, as outlined in the collective bargaining agreement. Prospects can be ruled ineligible to be drafted if they skip certain portions without sufficient reasoning. The draft will take place on June 25-26 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
USA Today
14-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 NBA mock drafts: Post-lottery projections for OKC Thunder
2025 NBA mock drafts: Post-lottery projections for OKC Thunder While the Oklahoma City Thunder are busy with their Round 2 playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, the 2025 NBA draft lottery was revealed. The randomness always creates chaos. It happened again as the Dallas Mavericks landed the No. 1 pick and will likely add Cooper Flagg. Despite having the NBA's best record, the Thunder were interested in the lottery results. Sam Presti attended the event to see if the Philadelphia 76ers' top-six protected pick would land on OKC. Nope. Philly was bailed out as it jumped up to the No. 3 spot. Rats. The Thunder will settle for three draft picks ahead of the 2025 NBA draft. They own the No. 15 pick from the Miami Heat, the No. 24 pick from the LA Clippers and the No. 44 pick from the Atlanta Hawks. After the lottery, publications everywhere posted their post-lottery 2025 NBA mock drafts. Here's who several had the Thunder adding to their championship-caliber roster: No. 15 (via Heat): Nolan Traore, France Jonathan Givony, ESPN, May 12 projection: Nolan Traore, France (6-foot-3 guard, 175 pounds, 19 years old) "The Thunder would have little use for a player such as Traore, but they have very few needs that this draft would help resolve anyway. The team will likely go for a best-talent-available approach if it ends up using all its picks." No. 15 (via Heat): Danny Wolf, Michigan Sam Vecenie, The Athletic, May 14 projection: Danny Wolf, Michigan (7-foot-0 center, 250 pounds, 21 years old) "Over their recent history, the Thunder have valued players with terrific positional size as well as the ability to dribble, pass and shoot for their position. Wolf is exactly that, as he's a real creator at nearly 7-feet tall with the ability to play in ball screens as a ballhandler as well as pass and make plays as a big man" No. 15 (via Heat): Nique Clifford, Colorado State Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report, May 12 projection: Nique Clifford, Colorado State (6-foot-6 forward, 200 pounds, 23 years old) "He had come off as a prospect to watch this season based on his ability to play a Swiss Army knife role by finishing plays, passing, defending different spots and making enough open threes. But he quickly turned into a top-option skill player who can get his own shot or serve as the offense's playmaker." No. 15 (via Heat): Carter Bryant, Arizona Draft Digest, Sports Illustrated, May 12 projection: Carter Bryant, Arizona (6-foot-8 forward, 225 pounds, 19 years old) No. 15 (via Heat): Danny Wolf, Michigan Kyle Boone, CBS Sports, May 12 projection: Danny Wolf, Michigan (7-foot-0 center, 250 pounds, 21 years old) "OKC will have plenty of options here at No. 15 to add to its No. 1-seeded Western Conference team — and here I have them selecting Danny Wolf. He has a funky but functional game as a dynamic passer, playmaker and occasional point guard. His IQ and feel would fit a team like the Thunder." No. 15 (via Heat): Egor Demin, BYU Bryan Kalbrosky, USA Today, May 12 projection: 6-foot-9 guard, 190 pounds, 19 years old) "But his relatively poor overall performance and shooting with an unreliable jump shot against top-100 competition caused some room for concern. However, he measured at 6-foot-8 barefoot at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine and his playmaking still makes him beyond intriguing. The Thunder could develop him in the G League, where he would not need him to make an impact right away." No. 24 (via Clippers): Hugo Gonzalez, Spain Jonathan Givony, ESPN, May 12 projection: Hugo Gonzalez, Spain (6-foot-6 forward, 207 pounds, 19 years old) "It's difficult to envision Oklahoma City using all three of its first-rounders with its current roster situation. Nevertheless, the Thunder have several months to determine a plan, and there will be no shortage of suitors if they decide to trade some of their picks." No. 24 (via Clippers): Noah Penda, France Sam Vecenie, The Athletic, May 14 projection: Noah Penda, France (6-foot-7 forward, 225 pounds, 20 years old) "Penda ticks a lot of the developmental dribble, pass, shoot and defend boxes that the Thunder has tended to value at 6-8, 245 pounds. He's averaging nearly 10 points per game to go with five rebounds and three assists. I think his defense is slightly overrated by his counting stats, as he can gamble from time to time, but he's physical and projects to be switchable on that end long-term as long as his footspeed stays at a solid level as he ages." No. 24 (via Clippers): Walter Clayton Jr., Florida Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report, May 12 projection: Walter Clayton Jr., Florida (6-foot-3 guard, 195 pounds, 22 years old) "Confidence in Walter Clayton Jr. peaked after his 34 points against Auburn. The fearlessness and clutch shotmaking have scouts starting to buy in and ultimately look past the size questions for a scoring guard." No. 24 (via Clippers): Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph's Draft Digest, Sports Illustrated, May 12 projection: Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph's (6-foot-9 forward, 240 pounds, 20 years old) No. 24 (via Clippers): Drake Powell, North Carolina Kyle Boone, CBS Sports, May 12 projection: Drake Powell, North Carolina (6-foot-5 guard, 185 pounds, 19 years old) "OKC has enough on its roster and in its treasure trove of assets to be afforded big swings in this draft. Powell is indeed a big swing. He was just-OK as a freshman at UNC but has length, shooting and defensive tools to be a special role player." No. 24 (via Clippers): Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph's Bryan Kalbrosky, USA Today, May 12 projection: Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph's (6-foot-9 forward, 240 pounds, 20 years old) "One of the most pleasantly surprising prospects in this class is Saint Joseph's Rasheer Fleming, who has great positional size and shooting feel. He was the only player in college basketball to record at least 40 dunks and 50 shots from beyond the arc." No. 44 (via Hawks): Boogie Fland, Arkansas Jonathan Givony, ESPN, May 12 projection: Boogie Fland, Arkansas (6-foot-2, guard, 175 pounds, 18 years old) No. 44 (via Hawks): Bogoljub Markovic, Serbia Sam Vecenie, The Athletic, May 14 projection: Bogoljub Markovic, Serbia (6-foot-11 forward, 190 pounds, 19 years old) No. 44 (via Hawks): Koby Brea, Kentucky Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report, May 12 projection: Koby Brea, Kentucky (6-foot-7 guard, 215 pounds, 22 years old) "Koby Brea was silent during Kentucky's loss to Tennessee, and the performance reminded scouts that he's not offering much else when his shot isn't falling. But some scouts think he's too skilled of a shooter to let go undrafted." No. 44 (via Hawks): Sergio De Larrea, Spain Draft Digest, Sports Illustrated, May 12 projection: Sergio De Larrea, Spain (6-foot-5 guard, 175 pounds, 19 years old)
