Brooklyn Nets: GM Sean Marks Goes Opposite Recent Team History

Despite recent team history, the new regime reshaping the Brooklyn Nets roster isn’t interested in quick fixes. Instead, the team will begin a slow rebuild.

According to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Brooklyn Nets traded forward Thaddeus Young to the Indiana Pacers for the No. 20 overall pick in this year’s draft and a future second-round pick.

General manager Sean Marks seems content with clearing the decks and starting from square one unlike his predecessor Billy King, who serves in another capacity within the organization, per Wojnarowski.

As a general manager, King put together Brooklyn’s original Big Three featuring forward Joe Johnson, guard Deron Williams and center Brook Lopez, who was already on the roster for the 2012-13 season. The front office added grizzled veterans Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in the following year.

The Nets power nucleus survived the first round of the Eastern Conference postseason once in three seasons from 2012-15. The experiment failed, considering high expectations for the franchise embarking on new beginnings in Brooklyn.

After sorting through the rubble, Marks has decided to take a more patient approach with few player assets left over. Trading Young leaves Lopez as the only recognizable player on the roster to casual NBA fans. The transaction clears an average $13.5 million off the payroll over the next three years, per spotrac.com.

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In the previous season, Young led the team in total rebounds and ranked second in point scored, shooting over 50 percent from the field.

Obviously, the Nets are starting from scratch and who knows what’s in store for Lopez going forward.

Marks will have some intriguing choices in the first round. Will they target a shooter like former Syracuse guard Malachi Richardson? Should they immediately fill Young’s spot with former North Carolina forward Brice Johnson?

Aside from the 5-spot, the Nets roster has been stripped of healthy starting-caliber players. Guard Jarrett Jack, who turns 33 in October, will continue to rehab a knee injury to prepare for the upcoming season.

According to The Vertical’s Bobby Marks, the team will be flushed with cash in time for free agency, but who wants to play in Brooklyn with a D-minus overall roster?

It’s going to take at least two years to build the team from the ground up, barring a surprise signing during the free agent period and a draft pick who exceeds expectations.

Regardless of Marks’ draft approach, Brooklyn simply needs talent to at least remain competitive on the court. With two draft picks (Nos. 20 and 55), expect the general manager to address the frontcourt in the first round.

There are several project point guards, who should be available in the second round, with the potential to blossom in the NBA. Former Seton Hall point guard Isaiah Whitehead has been a hot name for both New York area teams due to his ties to the city.

Next: 5 Point Guard Options This Summer

Indiana product Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell could also draw interest as a point guard with a reliable three-point shot. Notre Dame product Demetrius Jackson deserves consideration for his ability to set up pick-and-roll plays, per CBSSports.com draft analyst Sam Vecenie.

Based on the decision to move their second-best player in Young, the front office likely has several candidates in mind at No. 20. The expectations for the Nets remain below sea level, but it’s important the team pick up a player who could start at some point in the upcoming season.