Traore played mostly on the Wing the last 2 years at the high major level. At Utah last year he started at the 3 for a terrible 10-22 team that went 2-18 in the Big 12. And he was a part-time starter at Iowa at the 3 also.
On both teams he was the worst rated offensive player in the rotation. At Iowa, they had the 18th ranked KenPom Offense with a 120.1 Adjusted O-Rating. Traore's individual O-Rating was 99.6. At Utah, they had a 114.7 O-Rating with Traore posting a 96.1.
Offensively, he's a perimeter player. Half of his shots are from 3 where he shot 33.3% at Utah and is 29.6% for his career. He doesn't shoot well from 2, doesn't finish well at the rim or draw fouls. He's a non-factor on the offensive glass (2.6%) His TO rate is 19.5% (27th%) which is poor. He has a solid assist rate (12.5%) and appears to be an adequate passer.
The one area on offense he shoots well from is the Corner 3. He hit 20 of 48 (41.7%) 74th% from the corner, only 28.4% on 3's above the break.
The area he provides the most value is on Defense. He's a Sha-type of disruptive defender. Had a solid 2.5% Steal rate and decent 1.7% Block Rate for a Wing. His Rebounding is not strong and cast doubt whether he could play a lot of minutes at the 4. Had a below average 11.5% Defensive Rebounding rate although was a respectable 16.6% at Iowa and a strong 23.3% at Manhattan when he played the 4 and some small-ball 5.
I see him as a guy who can play a role as strong perimeter defender at the 3 and hold his own at the 4 for stretches. Getting a defender is a good balance for some of the offensive-positive guys we've added recently who might not be strong defenders. If he can become someone who can hit an open 3 and defend well at both Forward spots he'll have value. Hopefully he can rebound better than he showed at Utah, play more efficient offense and be a piece of the puzzle for us.
