He preferred to watch the final on his own, away from his American teammates who might be a little too talkative, or even teasing. An unmissable match for Armel Traore because of the forces present. With France on one side of course and his former teammates at Metropolitans 92, Victor Wembanyama and Bilal Coulibaly.
And the United States on the other, with his new teammates: LeBron James and Anthony Davis. It's incredible, I don't necessarily have the words to describe it. “, confides the 21-year-old player, contacted by USA Basketball the day before the final, about this beautiful company.
He, this huge fan of Kobe Bryant since he was little, started this daydream a few weeks ago, when he was finishing a great season spent in Blois. Heading for the Draft where he knows, at the time, that he is not ” not 100% sure ” to be drafted. But you might as well put the odds on your side by doing a series of “workouts” beforehand.
Ten workouts before the Draft
He takes off from Phoenix, where one of his three agents is based, to go to Boston, the first stop on a small marathon of training sessions: Atlanta, Portland, Sacramento, the Lakers, OKC, Brooklyn, Dallas… I did two back-to-backs out of ten workouts. Honestly, it's physically and mentally taxing. But hey, it's a blessing. Can't complain. »
Especially when frequenting the facilities of a legendary franchise like those of the purple and gold. In the training room, seeing the retired jerseys of Kobe, Shaquille O'Neal, Magic Johnson and the others, he says to himself: ” Oh yeah, it's real, it's crazy stuff! »
His time with the Californians, who have a 55th draft pick that many imagine is destined for Bronny James, is going well. Then comes June 27, the day of the second-round selection. Armel Traoré preferred to stay at home with his family in the Paris region. The draft picks are coming. That day, Melvin Ajinça is the only Frenchman called up.
The Lakers call him up five minutes after the draft
The end of the NBA dream already? I told myself that if the NBA is not for me, my destiny is not to go there. I will make a career in the EuroLeague. It is not an end in itself. “His” disappointment ” is very short-lived. Five minutes later, a phone call: the Lakers!” Of course, they said to me: 'Do you wanna be a Laker?' I said: 'Yes! ' ” Obviously.
A “two-way contract” is placed on the table. Basically, with the buy-out I had with Blois, it was not possible. They (the Blois club) lowered my buyout so I could get this contract “, thanks the former ADA player who, the very next day, must cross the Atlantic to prepare for the Summer League (just like his compatriot Mohamed Diarra who will sign for Limoges afterwards).
And there he was, a few days later, putting on the Lakers' summer jersey. His feeling at that moment? A lot of pride, especially being the first Blois player to wear an NBA jersey. A great pride and a dream, I would even say a goal that is becoming reality. But I still had my feet on the ground. »
Our man only has a few games ahead of him to show what he is capable of. His coach, Dane Johnson, asks him to be true to himself, namely an “energizer” present on both sides of the court, capable of punishing in transition. Which he does very well. In five appearances, he brings 7 points at 59% shooting and 5 rebounds for 17 minutes on average by making his physical density speak.
The attention generated by Bronny James? “I'm used to it: I played a lot with Victor”
A positive first appearance marked by the media attention paid to the team because of Bronny James. I get along well with him, he's a fairly simple person who, for me, has great potential. He was obviously highly anticipated compared to his dad, the best player in the world. There were a lot of cameras, but I'm used to it: I played a lot with Victor. I think he handled it well, we handled it well with him, we were all on the same page “, Traoré says.
This was followed by an exchange with the new Lakers coach, JJ Redick, and his Summer League coach, who gave him a summer work plan and provided him with a technician. Every morning in August, he would do physio, physical preparation and then pure basketball, for a total of three or four hours.
Armel Traoré, who appreciates the playing styles of Scottie Barnes or PJ Washington, admits that he is not “ the most technical player “. ” There aren't necessarily many players who have my energy or my athletic abilities. But on a technical level, I need to move up a gear, stabilize my 3-point shot, and have a better dribble. »
Waiting for the arrival of the little brother…
Already comfortable in “ understanding the game and the timing of 'cuts' “, he thinks he will be able to rely, in the coming weeks, on the tips of the “King”, briefly encountered during the Summer League before his departure for the Games. “ In the sense that he's a winger like me, with roughly the same physical measurements. So obviously, I'm going to try to ask him for a lot of advice. »
His contract will allow him to navigate between the big league and its little sister, but he has already been told that he will start in the NBA context, where he should play ” position 3 or 4 “. Aware of the precedents of Alex Caruso or Austin Reaves, undrafted players who have exploded, Armel Traoré aims in the long term to obtain a ” multi-year guaranteed contract “Preferably the Lakers, of course.
He doesn't know what the future holds for him or his brother Nolan, who was announced as a high pick in the 2025 Draft. First, I'm proud of him as a big brother. We try to surround him well with my family, he has to stay down to earth, continue to work hard and stay humble. Good things are bound to happen, I'll be behind him. »
Before we meet up in the big league next year? It is our goal to play against or together in the NBA, and to play together in the French team. It would be magnificent. »
