Nets have a buying or selling conundrum ahead of the deadline

 The Brooklyn Nets currently sit at a record of 9-8 and in tenth place in a crowded Eastern Conference. The team is exceeding expectations and will be getting leading scorer Cam Thomas back in the lineup on Thursday night after he missed the last nine games because he suffered an ankle injury. 

The Nets are not quite ready to compete with the heavyweights in Boston, Milwaukee or Philadelphia, but find themselves in a mix with about a half dozen other teams looking to make the next jump in the conference. 

So as Sean Marks looks to maintain roster flexibility with one eye on building a contender and the other on stockpiling young assets, he's faced with a bit of a crossroads for this Brooklyn squad.

The Nets have four key players who will become free agents after this season including: Nic Claxton, Royce O'Neale, Lonnie Walker IV, Spencer Dinwiddie, Dennis Smith Jr. and Harry Giles. Marks has bird rights for Dinwiddie, Claxton and O'Neale and each can play a critical role for a true contender this year. The return for any of those respective players would also be significant with first round picks not being out of the question.

Even Dorian Finney-Smith, with years remaining on his contract has been rumored to be a player multiple teams are interested in for a first round pick.  

Marks will need to evaluate which of those names are candidates to remain with the core of the team as they develop the young player and build a contender for the future. Since Marks doesn't want players to walk after the year without receiving anything in return, he'll need to walk the GM tightrope. 

Could the Nets get a top 5 seed in the East and pull an upset against Cleveland, New York, Indiana, Orlando or even Miami? 

It's absolutely possible, but how much would the prospect of a potential first round playoff upset and likely second round exit change the calculus for Marks to hold on to multiple pending unrestricted free agents? 

On the flipside, should the Nets go big game hunting at the deadline or in the offseason?

 Brooklyn is only 17 games into the season, but as it draws near the midway point of the year, fans and the front office will have a better indication of where this team is headed, what pieces to keep, what pieces to send out and what additional talent they can bring on the roster to get the Nets back into contending status. 

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Nets could add two-time Finals MVP if his super team flops

February's trade deadline is sure to be compelling. 

With superstars changing teams as frequently as ever, there's an outside chance the Nets could be on the receiving end of another mega-deal.

 The Los Angeles Clippers have stocked up on talent, albeit aged and oft injured talent that has yet to mesh together. 

 With Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Kwahi Leonard and Paul George joining forces, the Clippers have a formidable roster on paper. 

 However, things have been far from rosey since trading for Harden as The Clippers have lost all three games he's played with them and four overall. Los Angeles sits at 3-5 in a conference loaded with championship hopefuls including the: Nuggets, Lakers, Warriors and Mavericks.

 Should things continue to spiral out of control, Leonard may look to get out of LA and the organization's feelings may be mutual for a player who's been injured, more than he's played.

The Nets are a true proven star away from being a true force in the East and while Leonard comes with his share of injury baggage and isn't exactly a larger than life personality, his track record as a big time playoff performer is unquestioned. 

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