Sean Marks: The Architect of the Brooklyn Nets' Resurgence

From Unlikely Candidate to Transformative Leader

Prior to joining the Brooklyn Nets, Sean Marks had a successful 10-year playing career as a power forward in the NBA but no prior experience in a front office role.

Despite the lack of experience, Marks made a strong impression on the Nets' ownership with his intelligence, work ethic, and knowledge of the game. He was appointed general manager in February 2016.

Rebuilding a Broken Franchise

When Marks took over, the Nets were in a state of disarray. They had traded away their best players, including Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, and Brook Lopez, and were left with a roster of young and inexperienced players.

Marks' first order of business was to overhaul the roster. He traded away several players and signed a number of free agents, including Jeremy Lin, Allen Crabbe, and DeMarre Carroll.

Building Through the Draft

In addition to signing free agents, Marks also focused on building the Nets through the draft. He selected several promising young players, including Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, and D'Angelo Russell.

These players formed the core of the Nets' young team, and they helped the team improve significantly over the next few years.

The Arrival of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving

In the summer of 2019, the Nets made a major splash by signing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to max contracts. These two superstars instantly transformed the Nets into a championship contender.

Durant and Irving led the Nets to the playoffs in 2020, but they were eliminated in the second round. The team made it to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, but they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games.

The Future of the Nets

The Nets are still a young team with a lot of potential. Durant and Irving are still in their prime, and the team has a number of other talented players, including Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, and Andre Drummond.

Marks has done an excellent job of rebuilding the Nets, and he has the team on the cusp of contending for an NBA championship.