The Nets had a quiet trade deadline last week, making just one small move when they acquired a second-round pick by taking on Greg Monroe‘s contract and sending a little cash to Toronto. While Brooklyn is having its best season in years and is in position to make the playoffs, general manager Sean Marks isn’t concerned about not making any moves to upgrade the roster, as Tom Dowd of BrooklynNets.com writes.
“As it pertains to our particular trade deadline, maybe one of the biggest things was getting guys back healthy,” Marks said. “That might have been the biggest addition to our group without trying to cause too much disruption to the culture and to the group. Let’s see what we’ve got first and foremost.”
As Dowd relays, Marks said that the Nets are definitely “headed in the right direction.” However, he’s not going to let the club’s success this season change the long-term plans, per Brian Lewis of The New York Post.
“We’ll continue to be systematic and strategic along the way. Does that mean we pivot along the way here and there? Sure. We’ve had to do that in the last couple years,” Marks said. “But I would hope that we don’t skip a step as you mentioned before, that’s never been the goal here. Again, it’s always been about putting something sustainable there with a strong foundation.”
Here’s more on the NBA’s two New York teams:
- After waiving Monroe, the Nets were left with an open spot on their 15-man roster. Michael Scotto of The Athletic takes an in-depth look at options the team figures to consider for that opening.
- Knicks head coach David Fizdale has talked throughout the season about sticking to the franchise’s long-term plan, but presumably that plan didn’t involve trading Kristaps Porzingis, writes Newsday’s Steve Popper. Nonetheless, Fizdale defended the move: “Well, you don’t have a choice. What’s your option? You’re going to lose him. So you’re going to sit there and not have nothing sitting there? Or do you want to have two picks, cap space and a heck of a point guard in Dennis Smith Jr., who’s in his second year?”
- Marc Berman of The New York Post, pointing out that Fizdale said 10 days before the trade that Porzingis was “really engaged” with the team, calls out the head coach for not being willing to admit that the Knicks‘ plans went awry.
- Ognjen Jaramaz, the 58th overall pick in the 2017 draft, has moved from Spain to Serbia, joining KK Partizan, agent Misko Raznatovic confirms (via Twitter). As Keith Smith of Yahoo Sports notes (via Twitter), Jaramaz’s NBA rights are held by the Knicks, though it’s not clear if he’s in the team’s long-term plans at all.
- Rookie Knicks center Mitchell Robinson has changed agents again, according to Ian Begley of ESPN.com, who tweets that Robinson has signed with Dynasty Sports and will be repped by Mayar Zokaei.
You dont lose a restricted free agent though that’s kinda the point
They wouldn’t lose him outright but the worst case scenario for the Knicks would have been if KP signed the QO this summer. His trade value would plummet and the Knicks wouldn’t have the cap space to sign two guys and no one star would come to a team with KP already looking forward to leaving.
When Berman calls you out for spewing nonsense, it’s telling. If they get two of the elite FAs this summer, then it’s a wash, but otherwise I’m not sure how the organization moves forward with the three stooges. Tanking is the only thing they’ve gotten right, and they swear it’s not their goal (since they’re doing it so well, I believe them).
#firefizdale
Are you nuts? He is a good coach. Just out of curiosity, who would you hire to replace him? People always forget you need to have a better option available.
If there has been player development on this team, I have missed it. “Be yourself out there” is not coaching.
Firing the coach all the time not going to make the team better. How about trying to build a team and have a coach last more than a year. Maybe the Knicks will actually get better. But what do I know
Remember Fizdale talking about how much he was going to emphasize defense with this team? They really couldn’t be much worse than they are.
I actually don’t mind the Knicks parting with Zinger. I also love the move for the Mavs. It can be a win win for them both.
But if the Knicks go out and sign Kemba or Kyrie then it makes getting Dennis Smith Jr the mistake. I also think they won’t get a single big name free agent. The best bet is to keep trading and pick up more picks/young guys and just letting them learn and play together.
Fiz isn’t the issue. The issue is the old regimes sold all the Knicks assets off for aging vets and left the cupboard bare. Don’t try to make a quick fix. Just stay the course and build thru the draft.
Smith can (and maybe should anyway) play off the ball if they sign an all star caliber pg free agent.
DSJ can’t shoot for his life!