What more can we say? Sean Marks was as blunt as possible in Brian Lewis’ latest exclusive with the Nets’ GM. “We’re going to have to be systematic with some of the decisions we make. And they may not always be in line with winning the next game or putting the most talent out there.”

If you needed any more clarity, there it is.

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Tanks Commence in Utah | Nets: 13-25

Time: 8:00 p.m. ET

Opponent: Utah Jazz (9-28)

Tune In: YES Network; WFAN Radio

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Game Preview | Jordan Greene

The Game: So, both teams sit near the bottom of the barrel, which means the rest of the season will serve as an experiment: what to look forward to in the future and of course draft position.

With five picks, four firsts and a second, the Nets are likely to have themselves a terrific NBA Draft night. Utah can as well but there’s a difference. The Jazz has only one shot at the historic draft: their first rounder. At the moment, the Jazz have the fifth best odds at Cooper Flagg, the Nets sixth. Three and a half games separate them. Do you quietly get tank bragging rights if you lose tonight?

Injury Report: No Cam Thomas, Cam Johnson, Bojan Bogdanovic, Maxwell Lewis, D’Angelo Russell, DeAnthony Melton or Trendon Watford. Dariq Whitehead remains questionable. Jordi Fernandez basically ruled out Watford and Thomas through the rest of the West Coast trip. Both have hamstring issues. For the Jazz, Keyonte George (heel), John Collins (hip), Jordan Clarkson (left foot), Brice Sensabaugh (illness), and Taylor Hendricks (broken right leg, ankle) will all be out. The Utah Jazz are on the back half of a back-to-back, so there’s always the chance of an addition.

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