Sean Marks has pulled off magic tricks in the draft before. Now, he needs to do it again, only this time, the stakes are higher and the spotlight this season is a little bit brighter.
The Brooklyn Nets are in a strange place, stuck in neutral ground. But one thing is clear, this offseason is a big one, and Marks, the longtime GM, has the keys to what comes next. The management is armed with cap space and four first-round picks (including the 8th overall pick), Brooklyn has options. And for a franchise that has spent the last few years chasing stars, now is the time to build something sustainable from the ground up.
Marks has earned a reputation as a guy who knows how to find value in the back half of drafts. Just look at Nic Claxton and Cam Thomas. None of those guts were lottery picks, yet all have carved out roles in Brooklyn. That knack for spotting overlooked talent will be tested again on draft night, especially with a deep 2025 class full of experienced college players like Walter Clayton Jr. for example. The Nets don’t need to swing for the fences, they just need to keep making smart, solid contact.
This offseason is not just about the draft
Marks also needs to stretch Brooklyn’s cap space into something meaningful. Whether that means signing under-the-radar free agents, taking on contracts in exchange for draft picks, or keeping their own guys around, every decision has to count. This is not the summer to gamble. It is the summer to be smart.
Since taking over in 2016, Marks has slowly reshaped the Nets' culture, from a team without picks to one known for smart scouting and player development. Sure, the superstar era didn’t work out as planned, but what is left behind is a chance to do things differently. Smarter things.
This offseason will not make the Nets a championship contender overnight. But what it can do is set the tone for the next few years. Fans may not see the big splash that they have been craving but that is okay, because they should expect a team that is thinking long-term.
Moreover, for Marks, this summer is more than just business as usual. It is a chance to prove that the Nets’ faith in him was not misplaced and that even without the flashy moves, Brooklyn’s still got a plan worth believing in.