BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 26: Sean Marks, GM of the Brooklyn Nets, introduces D'Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov during a press conference on June 26, 2017 at HSS Training Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Should The Brooklyn Nets Target Another Center In Free Agency? by Ryan Muhlstock

With the 2017 NBA free agency winding down, the Brooklyn Nets continues to rebuild and improve. Led by General Manager Sean Marks, the Brooklyn Nets embarked on culture change and paradigm shift. Because of this Sean Marks is a “Marked” man in the NBA.

Marks is what people like Hall of Famer Charles Barkley fear. He is a data-driven manager who was an actual player. A veteran of six different teams over a ten-year span meant Marks was not much more than a journeyman, an underdog if you will.

However, playing the role of underdog is a specialty of Marks. As a member of the New Zealand National Team (the Tall Blacks as they’re known), he finished fourth in the 2002 FIBA Basketball World Championships (now the FIBA World Cup).

This was a monumental accomplishment for the New Zealand program as they never advanced to the medal round of an International competition previously or since.

Transitioning from playing to the front office and coaching came smoothly for Marks who spent, two years as an Assistant coach ( with the Champion San Antonio Spurs), then two years as Assistant General Manager before accepting the job as the Brooklyn Nets General Manager.

The Brooklyn Job

Like the Italian Job, this was a chance Marks could not pass on. This was a great opportunity but very challenging. In the failed attempt at a championship run, former General Manager Billy King with the blessing of owner Mikhail Prokhorov mortgaged the future of the franchise.

In addition to that ill-fated trade with the Boston Celtics, King allowed reserve guard Shaun Livingston to leave following the 2013-14 seasons for salary cap reasons.

Here’s an excerpt from NBA.com on the Celtics trade;

The Brooklyn Nets have acquired Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry and D.J. White from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks, Kris Joseph, Keith Bogans and three first round draft picks (2014, 2016 and 2018), as well as the right to swap first round picks in 2017, Nets General Manager Billy King has announced.

Here’s the Golden State Warriors on the acquisition in 2014;

“We are very happy that Shaun made the decision to join our team,” said Warriors General Manager Bob Myers. “He is a veteran player who, we believe, adds a lot to our roster with his versatility. He possesses the size and skills to play both backcourt positions, which will provide Coach Kerr with added depth and options throughout the season.”

But enough of highlighting King’s lack of foresight. Enter Marks who like Ol’ Mother Hubbard peered into the cupboard and saw it bare. Hired on February 18, 2016, Marks bought out veteran and fan favorite Joe Johnson‘s contract a week later.

The Rebuild is underway

Marks hired rookie Head Coach Kenny Atkinson, a noted player development coach. This was a move with the future in mind.

However, the Nets had no first round pick. Marks then traded Thaddeus Young to the Indiana Pacers for a first round draft pick. That pick turned into swingman Caris LeVert. This was the first of Marks many moves. In the second round Marks then executed a trade with the Utah Jazz which they acquired the rights to hometown native and star guard Isaiah Whitehead.

Marks first free agent signing as GM was point guard Jeremy Lin. Lin was given his first real opportunity to run a team. Trevor Booker followed Lin in signing with the Nets as well. Other free agents brought in throughout the season included Randy Foye, Spencer Dinwiddie, Archie Goodwin, Joe Harris, Justin Hamilton, Quincy Acy, and Sean Kilpatrick. Kilpatrick most notably was Marks first NBA D-League call-up. Greivis Vasquez, Chase Budinger, and Luis Scola were signings that didn’t quite work out due mainly to injury.

These players were brought in to complement star center Brook Lopez and sharp-shooting small forward Bojan Bogdanovic.

A trying season followed

The Nets played hard and earned the respect of all, however, they won a league worse twenty games. Again due to the aforementioned ill-fated trade with the Celtics, the Nets did not possess control of their own selection place. This was because of a pick swap. The Celtics ended up winning the lottery, and the Nets held the twenty-second pick.

"We're going to be systematic…" More from Sean Marks on the #Nets' approach at the deadline. WATCH: pic.twitter.com/7WNiuuIauD — Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 23, 2017

More maneuvering followed. Marks traded Bogdanovic who was on an expiring contract at the trade deadline to the Washington Wizards. He also acquired K.J. McDaniels from the Houston Rockets for cash considerations.

Tom Dowd wrote the following on the Brooklyn Nets website:

His [Marks] acquisition of swingman K.J. McDaniels shortly before Thursday’s 3 p.m. deadline followed Wednesday’s deal of Bojan Bogdanovic and Chris McCullough to the Washington Wizards in exchange for a lottery-protected first round pick, forward Andrew Nicholson, and guard Marcus Thornton.

This deal was an effective salary dump by the Washington Wizards who rid themselves of Nicholson’s contract.

Marks continue to make others take Notice

As the 2017 NBA draft approached, Marks struck again. It was a costly painful blow but potentially massive blow. This was on the Nets website: “The Brooklyn Nets have acquired D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Brook Lopez and the rights to Kyle Kuzma, the 27th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.” While it’s sad to see fan favorite Lopez leave, the D’Angelo Russell addition has the Brooklyn faithful buzzing with excitement. Yes, there is that Mozgov albatross of a contract, but that will take be taken care of.

If the Russell deal was not surprising enough, Marks pulled the trigger on another shocker. The Brooklyn Nets have acquired DeMarre Carroll, the 2018 first and second round draft picks from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Justin Hamilton. What necessitated this move was, the Nets did not possess a 2018 first round selection. Carroll started 72 games for the Raptors last season. His presence provides leadership as Whitehead, LeVert, Russell, and company develop.

As a side note, the Nets selected Jarrett Allen with the 22nd overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft Thursday night at Barclays Center. The team then selected Aleksandar Vezenkov with the 57th pick in the second round.

Restricted Free Agent Disappointment

Marks have failed in some pursuits though. Part of his philosophy was pursuing restricted free agents. Teams have the right to match deals made to their restricted free agents (RFA).

During the 2016 free agency period, Marks and the Nets signed restricted free agents Tyler Johnson (Miami Heat) and Allen Crabbe (Portland Trail Blazers) to offer sheets. Both the Heat and Trail Blazers matched. Marks undeterred then signed Houston Rockets center Donatas Motiejūnas mid-season, but his offer was matched by the Rockets as well.

As the 2017 off-season commenced, many predicted Marks would sign RFAs. He did not disappoint, signing Wizards RFA Otto Porter Jr. to a max offer. The Wizards matched, however, this move severely hamstrung their salary cap situation. The Trail Blazers suffered a similar fate following their Johnson contract match.

For Marks, these are Chess moves

Sean Marks took the ‘Bull by the horns’. What must not be forgotten is, Marks is highly intelligent as evidenced by his Political Science Degree from Cal-Berkeley. He has embraced the challenge of turning around the fortunes of this fledgling franchise. In less than two years, Marks and the Nets front office made over twenty acquisitions.

Marks is an NBA champion with the Spurs as both a player and an Assistant Coach. When he retired, Spurs GM R.C Buford hired him and prepared him for life as an executive. Remember, Marks is only 41 years old. Like the Brooklyn Nets, Sean Marks’ stock is on the rise.