The Nets headed into the season hoping to show improvement. They hit Thursday’s trade deadline in the thick of the playoff race, and one of the hottest teams in the league.
But that’s not tempting them into thinking they’re better than they are, skipping steps and mortgaging what they hope is a sustainable future.
“I haven’t really ever commented on playoffs per se, but when you look at the grand scheme of things — where we are and where we’re headed — we’re headed in the right direction,” general manager Sean Marks said.
“I’ll copy [coach] Kenny [Atkinson] where he says, ‘We’ve got a long way to go.