Billy

King

This report means that the Nets won’t buy out the contracts of players such as Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Jarrett Jack, but their names will likely be shopped around in trade talks for the foreseeable future. The Nets seem intent on building around Brook Lopez, Thaddeus Young and Mason Plumlee among others, but this is shaping up to be a very busy summer for Brooklyn. The Nets are also expected to explore adding a D-League team, but that would likely be a couple years from now.

Marks is well respected around the league and he shouldn’t have any trouble landing his next job. The move is believed to be a cost-saving maneuver, as every basketball decision the Nets have made this year has involved reducing the salary. In addition to the $84 million Brooklyn will pay in salary next season, they will also have to chip in an additional $20.5 million due to the luxury tax. That’s a lot of dinero to pay for a non-championship caliber team.

King reportedly met with head coach Lionel Hollins for five hours to talk about the roster, and he made it pretty obvious that the Nets could make some trades this summer. King wants to build around Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young moving forward, but it should be noted that both players hold player options for next season (though both players seem intent on staying in Brooklyn). Deron Williams and Joe Johnson could be shopped around in trade talks, and the Nets will likely try to move up in the draft as well. Head coach Lionel Hollins’ job is safe for now, but another poor showing next season could change things.

In addition to Bryan Colangelo and Danny Ferry, Nuggets assistant GM Arturas Karnisovas as well as Rockets VP of basketball operations Gersson Rosas have now joined the process. Per Woj, the Nets “have expressed a desire to have a GM in place prior to the Feb. 18 trade deadline.”

It’s pretty strange that none of the Brooklyn beat writers have mentioned a thing about this while a Celtics-based beat writer comes with the report, but the news in and of itself isn’t surprising at all. It’s unclear what Brooklyn could possibly offer in order to upgrade the team as the team is strapped of assets and desperately needs to prioritize the long-term picture, but all it takes is one willing dance partner to tango.