For a Nets team deep in the throes of a rebuild, the mission is acquiring and assessing talent.

As the trade deadline approached, players were dealt, waived and evaluated.

Distractions took their toll on the already talent-poor Nets, and most went into a free fall. Most, but not all.

Despite coming off the bench, backup center Day’Ron Sharpe has had the best net rating of any of the Nets’ regulars and arguably has been their most consistent player. During their woes over the past few weeks, it hasn’t even been arguable.