Did Marks Save Nets Future With Rockets Trade in 2024?

Sean Marks has built a deep trade arsenal over the last several seasons, trading valuable role players at the right price and positioning the Brooklyn Nets to make a big splash sooner rather than later.

Nets fans can point to the five first-round picks received in the Mikal Bridges trade with the New York Knicks in July 2024 or the valuable 2031 first-round pick received from the Denver Nuggets in the Michael Porter Jr. trade last offseason. 

Brooklyn had amazing returns in those deals, but arguably the most impactful trade in recent memory is with the Houston Rockets in the 2024 offseason.

It sent four first-round picks (2025, 2027 and two conditional 2029 picks) to Houston for 2025 and 2026 firsts in return. Marks went on to draft two immediate contributors in back-to-back drafts, giving fans a bright future to look forward to.

He drafted Egor Dëmin eighth overall last year and Mikel Brown Jr. sixth overall this year.

Dëmin had a promising rookie season, averaging 10.5 points on a blistering 38.5% from three on 6.2 attempts. He struggled with overall efficiency, shooting 39.9% from the field, as he shyed away from physical defenses.

His campaign came to an abrupt end in late February after sustaining plantar fasciitis in his left foot. An early offseason presented the 20-year-old with the opportunity to focus on his health and develop his game.

The second-year guard added muscle in the weight room and became one of the best players in summer league. Dëmin’s newfound strength made him a much improved downhill scorer, embracing contact and converting contested layups.

Brown has received nothing but praise since joining Brooklyn and is forming a strong relationship with Dëmin. The two have earned the “Aura Bros” nickname, and Louisville alum Donovan Mitchell compared Brown’s IQ to his Cleveland Cavaliers teammate, James Harden.

The rookie said he is ready to take on multiple roles — playmaker, scorer or leader — to help Brooklyn win in his first season. He led the Cardinals as their No. 1 option last season and wants to carry that success at the NBA level.

Brown and Dëmin are the Nets’ starting backcourt for the foreseeable future. The franchise wouldn’t have a talented backcourt if not for Marks trading with the Rockets in 2024.

Brooklyn’s general manager is not shy about his trade activity, and even if it hasn’t led to immediate success, his process has set a good foundation for the future.