With the Nets finally having their own draft pick next June for the first time since 2013, many fans are clamoring for them to tank. But general manager Sean Marks said they’re more focused on making the postseason than tanking the regular season.

“[We must] continue to compete. That’s really important for us; it’s important for our current players they want to go out there and compete,” said Marks. “This is not a year we’re just going to sit there because we control our own pick and say, ‘All right, let’s just hope that pick is as good as it possibly can be.’ It’s important for the fans to see the trajectory we’re on.”

The Nets are hoping to keep that trajectory headed up, after an eight-game improvement last season that was the second-biggest in the Eastern Conference.

Through Marks’ machinations, the Nets have two first-round picks next year and $50 million to $70 million in cap space. And during a call with season-ticket holders, he said it’s vital to continue their upward climb if they want to be able to successfully attract top free agents.

“Absolutely,” he said. “All pro teams are cognizant of, ‘You never want to have a losing culture here.’ Sometimes you can’t change it, but for us it’s about taking the right steps, continuing to grind. I think that’s certainly a factor. We know that can be negatively used against us from other sides if we don’t see the trajectory that we hope and the build that we hope.”

That hope doesn’t just start with modest improvement, but dreams of making the playoffs. Though Marks wouldn’t be lured into that prediction, he loved that players such as D’Angelo Russell, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and even summer signee Ed Davis are aiming that high.

“It’s great coming from your players,” said Marks, adding, “When our players have done several interviews — including the new guys — and said I don’t see a reason why we can’t make a push for the playoffs, isn’t that the objective here? We’re not sitting here saying we plan to win 20 games. So let’s put our best foot forward, push each other, and see where it goes. Anything can happen.”

Marks touched on a host of topics in a wide-ranging Q & A:

— Players and agents have noted the development of Spencer Dinwiddie, Joe Harris and others. Dinwiddie has the size and athleticism to succeed, but buy-in was key. Harris, who takes the subway to games, “probably could’ve gone elsewhere for more money,” but opted to stay with the Nets for two years and $16 million. “Joe epitomizes what we want to be here,” Marks said.

— On the players hitting the gym the hardest, Marks said DeMarre Carroll began the day after the season ended and that Davis started as soon as he signed. He also praised Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert and Russell.

“D’Angelo, his big focus was purely his health and his body, getting that right recovering from that knee surgery. As he moves forward he has to create those habits and take care of his body. He’s worked really hard on that,” Marks said.

“Jarrett has shown from Day 1 this summer that he wants to get better. It was probably a little bit of a surprise to him how much he played so he’s excited about taking his game to the next level.”

– The Nets’ biggest task as a team is learning to close out games.

– Marks isn’t limited to only using cap space next summer, implying he could deal at the trade deadline, on draft night or even on Dec. 15, when free agents from this summer are allowed to be moved.