Through the Nets‘ first five games of the season, including four losses, second-year guard Cam Thomas has logged just 14 total minutes. Thirteen of those minutes came in the season opener on October 19 — since then, he has been a DNP-CD three times and played the final minute of Wednesday’s game in Milwaukee when the score was out of reach.
Asked after Thursday’s game whether his lack of playing time is frustrating, Thomas replied, “Of course,” according to Ethan Sears of The New York Post.
The Nets have dealt with some injuries in the early going this season — Seth Curry still hasn’t suited up for a game as he returns from ankle surgery, and Joe Harris has been in and out of the lineup, coming off his own ankle injury. Still, Thomas finds himself behind Edmond Sumner and Patty Mills, among others, on the depth chart and isn’t part of Brooklyn’s regular rotation, Sears writes.
The former first-round pick, who appeared in 67 games and averaged 17.6 MPG as a rookie in 2021/22, said that he wasn’t given a sense in training camp that he wouldn’t play regular minutes to open the season, adding that his role – or lack thereof – has been “very” surprising.
“Ain’t had no conversations (with Nets head coach Steve Nash),” Thomas said. “Just not playing at the moment. … It is what it is.”
Thomas is a prolific scorer who led all freshman during his lone college season at LSU with 23.0 points per game and put up 27.4 PPG in the Las Vegas Summer League this July.
While the Nets’ middle-of-the-pack offense could perhaps benefit from Thomas’ scoring punch, putting the ball in the basket hasn’t been the team’s main problem so far this season. Brooklyn’s 120.2 defensive rating ranks dead last in the NBA, so if Nash and the Nets’ coaching staff aren’t confident that Thomas can help improve the team on that end of the floor, his limited role makes some sense.
Brooklyn picked up Thomas’ third-year rookie scale option earlier this month, so he’s locked up through at least the 2023/24 season. The Nets also hold a team option on him for ’24/25.
When you see Ben Simmons air ball a layup, and you’re not getting PT over that dude, I’d be pissed too.
Ben was trying so hard to not draw contact and have to shoot free throws he left if way short.
Brooklyn’s problems are compounded right now by playing Ben out of position at point guard. 3 legit offensive options on the floor with KD, Kyrie and Royce O’Neal shooting 3’s. Does the Brooklyn offense look like the Knicks with Jalen Brunson running the point??? No! Why? Because Ben isn’t a point guard. He is just a tall dude who dribbles and throws basic passes. Do you see any other “pass first” or “pass is my only option point guards”, or point guards “who do not attempt 3’s or even jump shots”???
Benamin Simmons – No “J”
I used to think hed be LBJ. Then I thought well his floor will be Lamar Odom. And you say well hes an elite defensive player.. BPM -4.4 and 119 DRtg so far and PER of 8.4.
I think hes traded, if they can, by the deadline. Jazz or Pacers. Attach 2 firsts and move on. Let him “develop” elsewhere.
Develop into what ? Ben Wallace ? Hes a overpaid choker who doesn’t love the game enough to devote his life to it. He loves the fame not sweat. Hes a bust.
That’s why I put it in quotes. Idk how they managed to draft 2 guys #1 overall that have no desire to actually play. Fultz and Ben should be on the Mt Rushmore of busts when it’s all said and done.
Seems like he lost his job to Edmond Sumner.
I’m more surprised to see Watanabe playing so much and in closing lineups. Luka and others were going right through that guy last night.
I understand being frustrated with a lack of playing time as a young guard, and being stuck behind Ben Simmons as he is now has to be irritating, but Cam Thomas actually isn’t good. He was a negative value player last year, he can’t shoot, and his defense is mediocre even for a score-first combo guard (and I’m not really convinced he can be a score-first guy either). Probably the kind of guy who needs either a change of scenery or for the Nets to blow it up.
Hey kids work on your defense and handles !
If it just me or do LSU players seem overly self-focused? Does that program not teach teamwork?
I would be too if I was on a team full of bad defenders, selfish iso types and bad leaders. Thomas could be useful as a 6th man on a team. Needs good vets and a strong coach around him though
Philly and New Jersey should swap back Ben and James. It can’t hurt.
The nets would need to include KD and 3 future 1st round picks.
Trade him to the Bucks for Nwora.
He shouldn’t be surprised, and should get used to it, as should his 2k’er fanbase. He can’t/won’t defend or pass, poor physical condition, low BB IQ, no history of being a good 3 pt shooter. Other than being a great one on one player, and bad shot maker, he brings nothing. That has little value to BKN right now, with KI and KD back playing.
Simmons in the first year of a max contract he signed before choking his way out of philly is the albatross of the NBA. Mental health issues aka I never met a shot I liked are why hes a bust. Sit at crunch time ben cause I can’t hit a free throw to save my life. Yes very Barry I am a point guard. Sadly I cannot shoot the rock.
Cam Thomas should get playing time, he can flat out score. Most of the team doesn’t defend anyway, he should be coming off the bench every game over Duke, Sumner, and Wanatabe
Nets ain’t far off the lakers.
Dysfunctional, underwhelming, overhyped, premadona’s
Atleast with the lakers we knew they would suck somewhat. The nets were expected to be a top playoff side.
Lakers need to trade Russ and Nets need to hire a real head coach and probably trade Ben aswell.
Really really like Ben and just hate the constant unwarranted criticism he gets. He’s been away from the game from basically 2 years. He’s had mental health issues, he’s had back issues and injuries. Even pre health concerns he couldn’t shoot the ball and was at best putting up 17-10-8. Now on a new team after time off and all these issues, he still has people constant on him expecting him to be LeBron James.
If I was him I’d be looking to move to one of the smaller market rebuilding teams where he can get comfortable again and then get better.
Pacers would be great spot with Tyrese and Myles both great three pint scorers and good defenders.
Charlotte would be interesting with him and Melo.
Maybe even Utah…
Mock trade ideas:
Nets: Terry Rozier, Kelly Oubre and Mason Plumblee
Hornets: Ben Simmons and Seth Curry
Nets would be the deepest team in the league.
Terry Kyrie Oubre KD Plumblee Mills Harris Warren ONeale Claxton Thomas Edwards Morris
Russ and KD unite?
Nets: Russ and Malik Beasley
LA: Joe Harris, Jordan Clarkson and Jared Vanderbilt
Utah: Ben Simmons and 2 first (1 each)
Nets get back to having a real big three again. Russ Kyrie KD ONeale Claxton
Mills Beasley Warren Morris
Lakers get rid of Russ for depth and shooters
Beverly Harris Bron AD Jones
Schroder Clarkson JTA Vanderbilt Bryant
Utah go full rebuild
Sexton THT Simmons Markeneen Olynyk
Conley Bolmaro Agbaji Gay Kessler
Lastly, come January I think once he becomes eligible but Deandre Ayton.
Nets: Ayton and Crowder
Suns: Ben Simmons and Nerlens Noel
Pistons: Cam Thomas and Torrey Craig
Nets fill the centre hole and add some physicality. Kyrie Joe Harris Crowder KD Ayton
Bench Mills Curry Warren ONeale Claxton
Suns move on from Ayton in a major way.
Simmons comes over as the future replacement for CP3. Simmons Booker Bridges Johnson would be a great future for Pheonix. Great shooting, defending, playamking. Monty Williams knows Ben from there time in Philly. For now Noel would play the 5 and Ben would be the sixth man able to play 1-5 off the bench.
Detroit gets a beast in Cam Thomas too.
I think Cam will get his PT if and when Kyrie gets suspended for promoting an antisemitic book and film on Twitter and Instagram.