The Brooklyn Nets gave up three first-round draft picks and four swaps to land James Harden and build a Big 3. It left them with limited assets, but championship hopes. Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Harden made up arguably the best trio in the NBA, but it quickly resulted in disaster.
The Nets won just one playoff series before Harden asked out. Just one year later, KD and Kyrie were traded too. Brooklyn went from a serious title contender to facing a total rebuild. They traded Mikal Bridges and are still exploring the market for other veterans. Cameron Johnson is drawing interest from several teams and Dorian Finney-Smith has popped up in rumors.
Marks is often not mentioned among the NBA’s best general managers, but he is outstanding at arguably the most important aspect of his job under the league’s new spending structure.
Sean Marks proves he’s an underrated asset accumulator
The Nets had just two tradeable first-round picks and a handful of seconds after acquiring Harden. To go from there to 17 first-rounders owned between 2025 and 2031 is astonishing. It cost Brooklyn KD, Kyrie, Harden, and Bridges, but Marks did an outstanding job of maximizing his draft capital in each move. They got two firsts for Harden, one in the Irving trade, and a massive haul for Durant. The final deal included Bridges, who was flipped for five firsts this offseason.
Draft picks are even more valuable in the new CBA. Teams are already feeling the impacts of the dreaded second tax apron. The easiest way to limit spending is to have young talent on a bargain contract. The Nets have plenty of selections, and it is on Sean Marks to nail them.
Turning Kyrie Irving into an unprotected first-round pick was outstanding, given all the drama in Brooklyn. No other team was offering two firsts for Harden, and nobody was giving up more for Durant or Bridges. Marks maximized the value in each move and has the Nets in prime position as they begin a total rebuild.
The franchise could have four first-round picks in 2025 and another two in 2026. Both classes are loaded with talent, which may have the Nets quickly building around a young star. They hope to win the race for Cooper Flagg, but he is far from the only potential superstar in the 2025 draft. Brooklyn is making their move at the right moment.
Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks is underrated. He built an exciting young playoff team before Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving chose the franchise in 2019. Marks gave them a Big 3 and a shot at a championship and is quickly building back his asset base after their departure. Credit to Marks. He is always trying to add talent and maximize his roster, which is the top priority for an NBA general manager.