Nothin' But Nets
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None of Brooklyn Nets’ Focus Should Be on New York Knicks

By Sean Costello

Mar 12, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) looks to pass the ball against Brooklyn Nets guard Isaiah Whitehead (15) in the third quarter at Barclays Center. Nets win 120-112. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) looks to pass the ball against Brooklyn Nets guard Isaiah Whitehead (15) in the third quarter at Barclays Center. Nets win 120-112. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 14, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Caris LeVert (22) loses the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Semaj Christon (6) during the second quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Caris LeVert (22) loses the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Semaj Christon (6) during the second quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

With no control over their own draft picks until 2019, the Nets needed to take risks and frankly, they have. They took a risk by trading a good player in Thaddeus Young for the 20th overall draft pick, which turned out to be Caris LeVert.

After numerous surgical procedures performed on his left foot, there was a big question mark on LeVert. He was noted as a risk because of his injury, but many believed that if LeVert could stay healthy, he could be a star in this league and could’ve been a lottery pick. Those are the kinds of risks Marks knew are needed when you’re in the kind of hole the Nets are in. LeVert hasn’t been the only risk he’s taken so far as Nets GM, but it certainly has been the biggest, and it’s looking like it may end up working out.

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LeVert has impressed many with his play and personality so far, and arguably has been the Nets’ best player. He fits into the Nets’ culture well, and it’s hard to believe that even if he was healthy coming into the draft, Marks wouldn’t have found a way to trade up and select him.

So when Nets fans get frustrated and say Marks hasn’t taken risks, they’re sadly mistaken. Trading your second best player to draft a player that has been sidelined with injuries for quite some time is quite a huge risk.

Just because the Nets chose not to sign Seth Curry, Dion Waiters or similar players who have quietly been a big help for their respective teams, doesn’t mean they aren’t taking risks while patiently building the team.