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Brooklyn Nets: Sean Marks Is Gambling In Free Agency

By Jay Siskin

Feb 19, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets new general manager Sean Marks speaks to the media during a press conference before a game against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets new general manager Sean Marks speaks to the media during a press conference before a game against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 23, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson (8) dribbles the ball against the New York Knicks during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 95-78. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson (8) dribbles the ball against the New York Knicks during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 95-78. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

The Chicago Bulls agreed to a two-year deal with Dwyane Wade that will see the star guard leave the Miami Heat after 13 years in South Beach.

Obviously, this deal has ramifications for the Bulls in adding Wade, and the Heat in losing Wade, but it could affect the Brooklyn Nets as well.

Wade’s Bulls contract is worth $47.5 million, according to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

By letting Wade go, the Heat obviously don’t have to spend that money on the 34 year-old Wade, and hence can invest it elsewhere. This is where a bit of bad luck for the Nets may come in.

The Nets signed Heat restricted free agent Tyler Johnson to a four-year offer sheet, worth $50 million. There are essentially two problems for the Nets: First, Wade is already off to Chicago, and Johnson hasn’t even signed the offer sheet yet. This means the Heat can technically negotiate a similar, or identical deal with Johnson, and cut out the Nets completely. The other problem, which is directly correlated, is the Heat have the ability to sign Johnson because Wade left for the Windy City.

This is an unfortunate turn of events for Brooklyn and Sean Marks. The Nets were targeting Johnson to come in and develop further, ideally being a factor at either guard spot. Now, the Heat can take Johnson away from Brooklyn’s grasp. Pat Riley has until July 10 to match the offer for Johnson.

As a whole, Wednesday was a tough night for the Nets. Brooklyn’s odds to land Johnson took a serious hit, and the Nets didn’t get Jose Calderon, who was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. However, as of late Wednesday night, there were conflicting reports as to whether the Nets were interested in acquiring Calderon.

Wednesday night’s events in a way overshadow a bigger picture of how Brooklyn’s offseason has gone. The Nets reportedly had interest in Rajon Rondo and Jamal Crawford, who both signed elsewhere. Brooklyn has also been interested in Allen Crabbe, but it seems Portland is poised to match any offer sheet Crabbe receives.

Kenny Atkinson and the Nets are very high on Johnson with his potential as a point or combo guard. As of Wednesday night, the hope of Johnson coming to Brooklyn is still very much alive. The bad news is that the Miami Heat have much more flexibility with Wade departing to Chicago, and that could mean Johnson stays in South Beach.

Next: Jeremy Lin, Brooklyn Nets