The Brooklyn Nets are playing the long game with rookie Drake Powell, and for now, that means a brief pause in his development arc. Powell, who missed Sunday’s win over the Raptors and is ruled out for Tuesday’s matchup against the Sixers, is dealing with his third right ankle sprain of the season. But according to head coach Jordi Fernandez, there’s no panic in Brooklyn - the team expects Powell back “soon.”
That’s a reassuring update for a player who’s already had his share of injury setbacks in his young career. Powell missed most of the offseason with left knee tendinopathy, and early in the season, he rolled that same right ankle twice, forcing him to sit out six games. Still, when he’s been healthy, Powell has shown exactly why the Nets are high on him.
The 19-year-old has carved out a role in the rotation, logging over 10 minutes in 15 games so far. In those appearances, he’s averaging 7.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, while shooting an impressive .475 from the field, .378 from deep, and .952 from the line.
That kind of efficiency, especially from a rookie guard, stands out. He’s not just surviving minutes - he’s making them count.
With Powell sidelined Sunday, it opened the door for fellow rookie Nolan Traore to get a rare extended run. The French guard hadn’t seen significant NBA minutes in nearly two months, but he made the most of his 22-minute stint against Toronto.
Traore chipped in eight points, three boards, and two assists, with just one turnover on 3-of-9 shooting. It wasn’t a breakout performance, but it was a glimpse of what he can offer - a steady hand with some upside.
Expect Traore to get another shot Tuesday against Philadelphia, especially with Powell still out. And he might not be the only rookie guard in the mix.
Ben Saraf, fresh off a call-up from the G League, is knocking loudly on the rotation door. The 19-year-old Israeli guard lit it up at the G League Showcase on Monday, dropping 40 points on 14-of-26 shooting - including 6-of-10 from beyond the arc - in Long Island’s win over the Oklahoma City Blue. That kind of scoring explosion doesn’t go unnoticed, especially for a Nets team that’s still figuring out its backcourt depth.
With Powell temporarily shelved, the Nets have a chance to evaluate their other young guards in meaningful NBA minutes. It’s not ideal to lose a promising rookie to injury, but it’s also an opportunity to test the depth of a young roster that’s quietly stockpiled intriguing talent.
For now, the Nets are staying patient with Powell. And while his absence is a bump in the road, it’s not one that’s expected to derail his rookie campaign. If anything, it might just give Brooklyn a clearer picture of what they’ve got in Traore, Saraf, and the rest of their young core.