Sean Marks has the toughest front office job in the NBA.
The Brooklyn GM is expected to rebuild a Nets team devoid of assets — for example, their first round pick this season goes to the Celtics, unprotected — back into something respectable. One way to do that might be to trade the couple quality veterans on the roster, Thaddeus Young and Brook Lopez, for younger players and picks. Start restocking the shelves.
Don’t bet on it. At least not in the short term. From Andy Vasquez of the Bergen Record:
Thaddeus Young: "I've been told I'll be here, along with Brook." #Nets
— Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) May 16, 2016
We all know that Marks would move those two veterans in a heartbeat, but he’s not going to sell them at a discount. And he’s not about to let on he would move them and give up what little negotiating leverage he has. You can be sure all the calls Marks gets right now — and likely through the draft — are simply vultures trying to pick the carcass of the Nets clean. Marks can afford to be patient, wait for an offer that would be a win for his team.
Lopez has two seasons for a total of $43.8 million still on the books, and Young has three years and $39.3 million remaining (the final year is a player option). When the salary cap jumps after July 1 Marks could get better offers as teams can fit them into their cap space, and both are quality role players who could help a team win right now. The offers will improve, if not this summer then into next season (maybe after a team loses a player to injury and is looking for a replacement).
Nets fans, you just have to be patient. This is a long road.
