The Brooklyn Nets have become a laughingstock in the NBA. Their General Manager, Sean Marks, appears to be more concerned with saving money for the new owner than with building a competitive team. This lack of commitment to delivering a quality product is a reason why Brooklyn Nets fans might want to consider jumping ship. With that in mind, let’s break down Sean Marks’s worst moves, all of which have negatively impacted the Nets during his tenure.
💣 1. James Harden Trade (2021) – The “All-In” Disaster
✅ What they did:
- Nets acquired James Harden in a 4-team trade.
- Gave up:
- Jarrett Allen (became an All-Star in Cleveland)
- Caris LeVert (solid scorer)
- Four 1st-round picks + 4 pick swaps
- Taurean Prince
❌ Why it failed:
- Harden quickly grew unhappy.
- Kyrie Irving’s part-time status (due to vaccine refusal) frustrated him.
- Harden demanded out just 13 months later.
- Return? → A broken Ben Simmons and minimal upside.
🚫 2. Ben Simmons Trade (2022) – The Worst Return
✅ What they did:
- Traded James Harden + Paul Millsap to the 76ers.
- Received Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond + 2 picks.
❌ Why it failed:
- Simmons has been a complete bust:
- Played just 57 games in 2 seasons.
- Multiple injuries, mental health breaks, and career-worst performance.
- Still owed over $ 40 million per year through 2025.
🔥 Damage:
- Zero leadership.
- Salary cap clogged.
- No production on the court.
- Harden returned to All-Star form in Philly.
🤦♂️ 3. Steve Nash Hire (2020) – Star-Driven Mistake
✅ Why it happened:
- Nash had close ties to KD.
- Seen as a player-friendly hire with high upside.
❌ Why it failed:
- No head coaching experience.
- Couldn’t handle egos or crisis management.
- Defense fell apart, and rotations were inconsistent.
- Fired early in 2022–23 after poor start (2–5).
- Looked overmatched from Day 1.
🧱 4. Kevin Durant & Kyrie Irving Fallout (2022–2023)
✅ What they did:
- Signed KD and Kyrie in 2019, followed by Harden in 2021.
❌ Why it failed:
- Kyrie created constant chaos:
- Flat Earth, skipped games, vaccine refusal, antisemitic tweet.
- Suspended repeatedly.
- Durant requested two trades within a 12-month period.
- Eventually traded:
- Kyrie to Dallas for Spencer Dinwiddie + Dorian Finney-Smith (meh return).
- Durant to Suns for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and picks.
🔥 Result:
- No title, no long-term core, burned all their depth.
🗑️ 5. 2025 NBA Draft – Quantity Over Quality
✅ What they did:
- Nets had 5 first-round picks.
- Marks used all 5—no trades to consolidate or move up.
- Select high-IQ, European-style playmakers with limited athletic potential.
❌ Why it failed (or likely will):
- None of the picks were considered elite-level talent.
- Passed over better prospects for “system guys.”
- No elite shooters, rim protectors, or athletes.
- Called “the draft that made the league laugh” by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
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