Despite taking on the general manager job with hardly anything to work with back in 2016, Marks has worked to put the Nets in a favourable position for the future.
On Saturday, Brooklyn made two more transactions to improve their outlook.
First, they traded Jeremy Lin, a 2025 second-round pick and the right to swap second-round picks in 2023 to the Atlanta Hawks for a 2020 second-round pick via the Portland Trail Blazers and the rights to 2016 second-round pick Isaia Cordinier, according to ESPN.
By moving off of Lin’s contract, the Nets cleared $12.5 million in cap space, which paved the way for them to make their next trade with the Denver Nuggets.
Brooklyn agreed to take on the $21 million combined salary of Kenneth Faried and Darrell Arthur while netting a 2019 protected first-round pick (protected 1-12) and a 2020 second-round pick for their troubles. In return, Denver received Isaiah Whitehead.
The move is essentially a salary dump by the Nuggets, who will now save $43 million in payroll and luxury tax.
Faried and Arthur had struggled for playing time in Denver’s crowded frontcourt, but the Nets should be able to get more use out of the forwards this coming season before they hit free agency next summer.
Not only did Brooklyn get a first-round pick, but two serviceable players in the short term, all without cutting into their 2019 cap space, which could be enough for two max contract players.
The price for that was Lin, who was arguably the Nets’ most recognisable player and a favourite of Brooklyn minority owner Joseph Tsai, who wrote in a tweet after the trade: “I love Jeremy Lin because he represents the underdog in all of us – truly first class on and off the court.”
Sean Marks has kept me updated on our team's moves during this offseason. He and his team are doing terrific work to build the Nets for the long term. I love Jeremy Lin because he represents the underdog in all of us -- truly first class on and off the court.
— Joe Tsai (@joetsai1999) July 13, 2018
Jeremy is not only exciting to watch, he sets an example for perseverance and leadership. We are great friends, and I will follow his progress no matter where he is.
— Joe Tsai (@joetsai1999) July 13, 2018
Still, the Nets have slowly, but surely, restocked their cupboard and set themselves up to become a lot better, potentially soon.