When the Nets traded for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnet in July of 2013, they showed the NBA they were in a win mode now, and if it didn't work they knew they would completely mortgage their future. The Nets in return gave up a slew of players, and a first-round picks in 2014, 2016 and 2018.

The Celtics also had the right to swap their 2017 pick with the Nets, which they did.

As everyone knows that trade didn't bring that championship for the Nets, and now they have been forced to go in a major rebuild, which is hard to do without first round picks.

After Billy King was forced out of the GM role, the Nets turned to Sean Marks to rebuild the organization, and with two years under his belt, he has done a great job considering the cards he was dealt.

Michael Scotto of the Athletic interviewed different people around the league about the job that Marks has done, and they also seem to be impressed.

“Under the circumstances, Marks has been good,” a Northwest Division executive told The Athletic. “The cupboard was empty there.” A fellow Central Division executive concurred. “They play hard every night, have a style they are committed to playing, and there is more hope than despair there now.”

Dave Wohl, Sean Marks
Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

The impressive moves for Marks started when he traded Thaddeus Young to the Pacers, and in return got the 20th pick in the 2016 draft who they turned into Caris LeVert.

He has also signed Trevor Booker and Jeremy Lin. Although Lin has been hurt a lot he has been a good locker room guy for the younger players.

Trevor Booker also had success when he played with the team, and he was then traded to the 76ers for Jahlil Okafor who still has a lot of promise even though he has struggled in the NBA.

Although Sean Marks still has a long way to go, these are guys who can be built around, and if they can get a couple more good guys, they can be competing in the Eastern Conference in just a few year.