Nets Have a New Practice Facility but Still No GM

Spurs assistant GM Sean Marks is leaning toward not taking the Brooklyn Nets GM job, per National Basketball Association sources.

Sean Marks (middle-right) has been with the Spurs in some capacity since he retired from the league in 2011.

The Brooklyn Nets are in a tough spot this trade deadline. But those who took in the breathtaking views of the city skyline and all the world-class amenities of the team’s new home base were certainly enthused at what this move could do for Brooklyn as a whole.

The Nets’ top players, center Brook Lopez and forward Thaddeus Young, have been rumored to be headed in this, that and every other direction. For some reason, though, the team has devoted all of its time to finding a new GM.

Team owner Mikhail Prokhorov was on hand to unveil the renovated warehouse near Brooklyn’s Sunset Park neighborhood, which encompasses 70,000 square feet and houses two basketball courts, a rooftop lounge with a view of Manhattan, an on-site barber chair, and all the high-tech accouterment needed to aid and preserve the 14-40 Nets. Only the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers have a worse record.

Johnson was somewhat non-responsive about a buyout, but said he’s thinking about it.

According to the New York Daily News’ Frank Isola, “there is a very good chance” the Nets could hire Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina as the team’s next head coach if they ultimately hire Marks. Broussard didn’t say who the favorites were, but Yahoo Sports reported that Karnisovas and Marks were the favorites.

Marks, the New Zealand native and 12-year NBA veteran, has been studying winning basketball culture for years: He played for revered Spurs coach Gregg Popovich for three seasons, helping win a title in 2005, then captured another championship as a Spurs assistant coach in 2014. There is still some time left, and a lot of deals happen at the eleventh hour, but all signs point to a fruitless trade deadline for the Brooklyn Nets.