In his first extensive interview since the absence and return of Kyrie Irving and the switch to James Harden, Sean Marks told Evan Roberts and Craig Carton of WFAN that he is looking at the possibilities of Brooklyn for the long term, including plans to offer extensions to his “Big Three”.
“I think we are definitely committed to these guys. We are not doing business like this thinking ‘Hey, look, it’s a fleeting moment here,’ ”said Marks, when asked about the extent of Harden, Irving and Kevin Durant. “We want to put ourselves as leaders in the club. We want these guys to stick around. “
Under the CBA, the Nets can sign the three players in August for extensions that would happen a year later, in the 2022-23 season. The extensions would last until the 2023-24 season, when Durant would be 35, Harden 34 and Irving 32. How much would the extensions cost Joe Tsai? Harden refused an extension of $ 50 million a year before lobbying for a deal for the Nets.
Marks couldn’t say whether Durant, Harden and Irving would accept new business.
“I don’t know if they will accept them,” he said. “We want these guys to stay here, we want them to build here, we want them to be part of something in Brooklyn.”
At the time of switching to Harden, there were reports that Marks believed that acquiring the Rockets’ owner would help keep Durant in Brooklyn in the long run. Marks said that KD was not the driving force in commercial discussions with the Rockets.
“(KD) was not behind this business, he was not forcing … Was he involved and kept up to date? Certainly, without a doubt. ”
Likewise, the GM of the Nets said that Irving was also informed.
“I talked to Kyrie about it … he wasn’t taken by surprise.”
“We are always looking to see how we can improve the team and move the pieces around, and everyone was informed about this throughout the process so that I could have their ideas,” Marks told Carton and Roberts. “It has always been a collaborative effort and that is how we would like to continue to develop it.”
Asked about the exchange of so many choices – three first rounds unprotected and four exchanges of first rounds, also unprotected, Marks admitted that he had some hesitation, but ultimately, “We are trying to maximize what we have now and the window we are in this group.”
He also noted Nets’ success with benchmarking and development, adding that he and the front office will continue to look for “rough diamonds”.
Marks spoke at length about Irving’s absence, noting that Irving’s self-styled “pause” led to “waves” of concern.
“I think it comes in waves,” said Marks. “We have had conversations in the last 10 days ranging from the level of concern, there is definitely anxiety, how can we help you? Are we doing the best we can for this young man? It would be very naive and insensitive of us to say that we are pissed … because let’s be honest, we play basketball here … ”
“He even admitted at the press conference that he is dealing with some personal things here and, undoubtedly, all of us … from time to time … we need to step back and reload or refocus. All we can do is support Ky and make sure we are doing everything we can and helping him. And he is showing a commitment to honestly helping themselves and getting back to work. And we’ll see that tonight, which will be great. “
It’s not just about Kyrie, Marks argued.
“As a general manager, as someone who is organizing this team, we are always concerned with all of our players. Kyrie is no different than anyone, and when a guy asks for help, we need to be there.
“We are proud to be a Nets family and we talk about it. So it means being available to the player, supporting him, and sometimes it’s difficult conversations, sometimes it’s easy, sometimes it’s putting your arm around him.
“You know that a lot of these conversations take place privately behind the scenes and we will continue to support you in your efforts to support the team and support the team and do everything we can to get the best group of guys out there.”
And he admitted that he was upset to see the video of the birthday party that Irving gave his father and sister a week and a half ago.
“Yes, without a doubt, and I talked to Kai about it,” said Marks. “And he apologized not only to me, but to the team and did not shy away from it. And that shows us the humility and the vulnerability of saying that I was wrong. “
In short, Marks did not deviate from the championship’s expectations.
“We are trying to maximize the window we have with this group. To be honest, I know what is at stake. Got it. This is professional sport, ”said Marks. “And at the end of the day, our entire front office and coaching team is convinced that we want to do what is best for Brooklyn – the neighborhood – and the organization. And that is doing everything we can to bring a championship here and be successful. “
He also discussed the possibility of a Spencer Dinwiddie comeback, either at the end of this season or the next.
“I will never exclude Spencer from anything, because there are very few guys who have shown the resilience he has to recover from any injury. He loves to prove that people are wrong and has a weight on his shoulder, ”said Marks. “But an ACL rupture is a serious injury and he has a lot at stake, so although I don’t exclude him, it will be very difficult. There are many things at stake here, but we want what’s best for Spencer in the long run. “
Marks once again shouted at Tsai, saying that he is “lucky” to have such a “committed” owner.
“(Tsai is) committed and knows what’s going on in the league,” said Marks. “We talk daily and I love the fact that I have a committed owner who is constantly asking me questions. We had several conversations and I’m not sure who won on whom. We all met and made a commitment from Joe Tsai and the players that this was what we wanted to do, and we were delighted with that. “