After Thaddeus Young mentioned on Monday that he has been told by the Nets that the team doesn’t intend to move either him or Brook Lopez (Twitter link via Andy Vasquez of The Record), general manager Sean Marks was asked about the topic and essentially confirmed what Young had said, albeit with a caveat.
“I’m certainly not looking to trade them,” the Nets GM said of Young and Lopez, per Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops (Twitter link). “But again, what I’ve said before is you have to be fluid. You never know what’s going to come your way. I hope that they’re part of this. They’re both terrific people. They’re both competitive people. I hope to maximize their talent and help build around them.”
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- During his introductory press conference on Monday, new Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson acknowledged that addressing the point guard position will be high on Brooklyn’s to-do list this summer. “It’s like the NFL quarterback,” Atkinson said. “It’s the Drew Brees, it’s the Aaron Rogers. It’s super important.” Atkinson added that there are some “exciting names” expected to be available in free agency at point guard (Twitter links via Vasquez).
- The Knicks don’t currently own any 2016 draft picks, but multiple sources tell Mark Berman of the New York Post that the team is being aggressive in looking to acquire at least one – and possibly two – second-rounders. When a similar report surfaced over the weekend, we noted that New York has been meeting with prospects, so the team is clearly preparing for the possibility of participating in the draft.
- The Celtics are eager to find out where their top first-round pick will fall in Tuesday night’s draft lottery, as it will help the team gain some certainty when it comes to offseason planning and trade discussions, writes Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. “Once the ping-pong balls fall, I think there will at least be a little bit of a more clear path,” GM Danny Ainge said. “And more certainty in talks and conversations with other teams.”
- Derek Bodner of PhillyMag.com takes an in-depth look at Bryan Colangelo‘s track record as an NBA decision-maker, exploring what 76ers fans can expect from the team’s new president of basketball operations going forward.
Lopez has two more seasons before free agency. Young has three. There’s no urgency to move either one right away. It makes sense to try to build around them first.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Young or Lopez is moved, regardless of what’s being said. The Nets are in a full rebuild mode.