A couple months ago, there was some speculation that Sean Marks‘ job with the Nets might be in jeopardy amid a disappointing 2023/24 season which saw the team dismiss former head coach Jacque Vaughn.
At one point in mid-December, the Nets were 13-10. After Friday’s loss to the Knicks, they’re now 32-49 with one game left in the regular season.
However, according to Brian Lewis of The New York Post, Marks will return as Brooklyn’s general manager next season. Multiple league sources tell Lewis that Marks will be in charge of hiring a new head coach, with the team expected to “cast a wide net” in its search.
“(Owner) Joe (Tsai) and I have always been in complete partnership,” Marks said in February. “And it doesn’t mean we always agree. I mean, you have to have good discussions and robust discussions, but Joe and I will make this decision, and he has given me no reason to believe that I won’t be able to make that decision.
“By the end of this I have no doubt that we’ll come and find the best person fit for this job.”
Marks has been Brooklyn’s GM since 2016. The Nets had made the playoffs each of the past five seasons prior to ’23/24, but were quickly eliminated in the first round on four of those occasions.
Interim head coach Kevin Ollie is expected to receive consideration for the permanent position. The Nets have gone 11-17 under Ollie, a longtime former NBA player who took over for Vaughn a couple months ago.
“Yeah, I’m the interim, so I’ve got to find out if I’m keeping the job first,” Ollie replied recently to a question from The Post about his status. “We’re going to have some exit meetings here shortly, probably Monday or Tuesday and then we’ll talk. I’ll talk with Sean, our medical staff.
“We do everything as an organization, we do everything as a community. We make sure we have the same voice, surround-sound system with our players, making sure we’re saying the same things. So we’ll have those talks.”
Already gave up on next season lol.
Marks staying on 1 last yr to oversee what should be a complete tank season next yr in Brooklyn. This would be a good spot for reclamation projects like Wiseman &/or KPorter Jr to come to. I’m not even sure if I’d re-sign Claxton with the “emergence” of Clowney. They should be looking forward to the 2025 draft (where they’ll have 2 picks) & free agency that same yr when they’ll have room to sign a max guy. But obv someone other than Marks should be in charge by then
They didn’t get Bridges to Tank. They do need to fix Ben situation.
Of course they weren’t thinking about tanking when they got Mikal. Circumstances will obv be different 2yrs after that trade. Reality now is that they don’t have the talent to compete & they should be looking toward the future. The Ben situation will fix itself. He’s gonna be on an expiring contract next season. I’d let him play it out during this tank season then use those savings to go after a max guy 15months from now. Mikal can stay as well. If he/Ben/Cam are playing really well & jelling with the reclamation projects (KPJ/Wiseman) & the youngsters (Dariq/Clowney/JWilson) are being efficient/productive & the team is competitive then you ride it out. More likely they’d be sagging in the standings by January & you either put Mikal on the trade block or just sit him for the rest of the season with whatever minor injury he can claim. Tanking 101.. 102 at most
Stopped reading at Kevin Porter Jr lol. Beyond the fact that the Nets already have Cam Thomas, KPJ is not a reclamation project. He is just the latest volume scorer who didn’t realize how replaceable he was. A bottom 5 player in the locker room is not what a dysfunctional team (with a presumably new head coach) needs.
You stopped reading at KPJ? That’s cap right off the bat smh. And KPJ & Cam are very different players. KPJ is a pg 1st & foremost. Cam is a scorer. What does the term volume scorer even mean lol? And how are you qualified to say who is top5 or bottom5 in the locker room when you have clearly never been near a locker room ever lol? I’m guessing youre saying Brooklyn don’t need someone with KPJ’s off court issues. Im saying Brooklyn needs an upgrade at pg. They don’t have a 1st rd pick, they won’t have a bunch of $ to throw at a free agent this summer so they’ll have to use this look at guys like KPJ & Wiseman. Same way Charlotte, Detroit, DC did this season. Tanking 101
Clowney is a nice talent, good size. Still young and raw. They should work him up. I think signing Schroder is the right move.
Nets have no picks this yr. Best thing that can happen. Is to be able to move Ben and his expiring contract.
Why?
Zach Lavine for Ben and a player as sweetener. Surely Chicago is going to tank next year.
Simmons would actually not be the worst fit in Chicago considering they have Alex Caruso, Patrick Williams, Torrey Craig, and Javonte Green masquerading as PFs. Might be an option if DeRozan walks in UFA.
The Nets are the ones who turn this down though. You’d rather Simmons’ contract expire than take on LaVine’s longer deal.
Marks was compelled to do both Harden deals. The second one (Simmons) he refused to do twice until directed by ownership. Not unreasonable that he be given a chance to reset the roster. He made lemonade out of lemons Billy King left him before KD and KI took over. Overall he’s drafted well with the few late picks he’s had. Whitehead and Clowney were both long lead guys. He got Allen and Levert with low picks. Got SD and Harris off the scap heap. He’s no fool.