Nets GM Sean Marks Links Trade Activity to Player Development and Star Availability

Brooklyn Nets General Manager Sean Marks has stated that the team's willingness to become aggressive with their trade assets is contingent on two primary factors: the development of their young players and the availability of star players on the market.

Marks emphasized that internal development is a key metric. "Internally, it’s going to be on how the [young Nets] develop, right?" Marks said. "Whether it’s Egor [Dëmin], whether it’s Nolan [Traore] … it runs the gamut, across the whole lot of them. Who can take that next step? And we’ll get a good feel for, ‘OK, he’s playing above where expectations were,’ or, ‘He’s developed earlier than we may have thought.’"

He added that this internal assessment is coupled with external market conditions. "But it’s also a combination of what becomes available," Marks noted. "So you keep your flexibility. … We’re always listening. I’m not sure we’re going to be any more active than we’ve been in the past, but it doesn’t mean we’re not listening. It doesn’t mean we’re not shaking trees and seeing what’s out there, for sure. So a lot will be predicated first and foremost on what this roster looks like, and we’ll get a good feel for that pretty good."

The team is monitoring the progress of several young players. Rookie Mikel Brown Jr. is recovering from a left ankle sprain and is back on the court for limited shooting and movement drills, expressing optimism about his rapid recovery. "I’m back on the floor shooting and moving around a little bit. It’s coming along well. I’ve progressed very fast. We’re just attacking it. We’re attacking the rehab and taking it a day at a time," Brown said.

Nolan Traore and Grant Nelson are both cleared to begin training camp. Traore has fully recovered from a right knee procedure, and Nelson is back from a postseason knee procedure and earlier leg issues. "Physically, those guys are ready for camp," Marks said of Traore and Nelson. "Nolan will be ramped up a little bit, but at this time I don’t see him missing any days. Grant, same way. Grant is full-go now, which is great to see."

Traore has reportedly shown increased muscle mass since last season. |

With the addition of All-Star Julius Randle, players like Noah Clowney, who started 60 games last season, may see a reduction in shots and minutes. Clowney acknowledged the reality of changing roles and focused on improving his defensive contributions. "To be honest, be a better defender," Clowney said. "You bring in more people who are going to have the ball on the offensive end… so you want to get the minutes, [I’ll get less shots], that’s the reality. So guarding, making the shots when they come, not forcing, keeping the offense flowing, simple stuff."

Josh Minott also understands his role will evolve, focusing on being a defensive disruptor rather than a primary offensive facilitator. "Everything starts defensively," Minott stated. "If you don’t have that, you really don’t have anything."

Marks indicated that the team is not necessarily planning to be more active in the trade market than in previous years but remains open to listening to offers and exploring opportunities as player development and potential star acquisitions unfold. | |