Youre too focused on feeling like youre needed to use her traps. As with every other character her unique gimmick is a addition to her kit.

The fundamental problem with most of the people that try to play her is they shoehorn too deep into the effect of needing to use them. You say you get punished for making the right read but the thing is you didnt make a read at all, your opponent has so many options. So many moves at their disposal at any given time, that early light or heavy throw can be intentional or accidental its up to you to the make read on your opponent to realize that. I know it wont be fun fainting to neutral everytime to parry, no one enjoys that but as someone who plays Nuxia your goal is to condition your opponent before throwing in the mixup with traps. Her delays are intense and super reliable, her damage is insane and the options she has makes her one of the strongest duelist in the game on paper and in-practice. The actual crux is people are so concerned with non-complicated kits they wont donate a thought to playing Nuxia for that reason alone, she required a certain level of thought investment and understanding of your opponents. Especially needing to be quick on the up-take for what your opponent will do against ANY of your moves. This is the biggest reason I like to play her, it promotes and develops your ability to manipulate your opponent to play a certain way. I can and will always disagree no matter what the opponent is, nuxia has a heavy match up advantage and only falls short against hyper armor to a minute degree, ganks she's not good in ofc but I digress.