Appearing on WTKR News 3 in Norfolk, Virginia (Twitter video link via sports director Marc Davis), shooting guard Cam Thomas made it clear that he hopes to re-sign with Nets this summer (hat tip to Brian Lewis of The New York Post).
“It’s a situation I can’t really control,” Thomas said of being a restricted free agent. “Just got to leave that up to my agency, my agents and the front office. … But I definitely want to be back in Brooklyn. It’s definitely home for me. Being drafted there, you know you definitely build bonds with a lot of people there. So I definitely love being there.
“But at the same time, you’ve still got to do what’s best for you in the business aspects. So, we have to play that by ear. But I definitely want want to be back in Brooklyn for sure. It’s definitely my home.”
The 27th pick of the 2021 draft, Thomas didn’t get much playing time in his first two NBA seasons. That changed in 2023/24, when he averaged a career-best 31.4 minutes per contest en route to leading the team in scoring (22.5 points per game).
The 23-year-old posted career-high numbers in multiple statistical categories in ’24/25, including 24.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG and 3.8 APG, but was limited to a career-low 25 games due to a series of hamstring injuries.
Retaining Thomas is expected to be a priority for the Nets, who project to have by far the most cap room in the league in free agency.
the Nets are going to need to offer him a good contract if they want him to stay. A lot of teams would like him on their roster
I do wonder how they’re going to play this. There are going to be a lot of opportunities for guards.. in the draft, trades, RFAs (Grimes) and so I wonder whether they will want to tie themselves up with Thomas.
What would be a reasonable deal for him?
hard to say what his going rate will be like Kuminga you don’t know how much other teams will offer him. If you base it on what other teams has paid in teh past it would be between $20 and $30 million a year for about 3 years. Unfortunately you never know if some team will come in and over pay him like how the Rockets did with FVV when they made it impossible for another team to out pay their offer.
Unfortunately for Thomas, I don’t think other teams have the cap space to make him an aggressive offer. And that’s why the Nets may be able to get him back on something less than $20m per for 3 years.
I do think they should make an aggressive offer for Grimes though… if just to squeeze the Sixers.
They could make offers to all the RFAs, Giddey, Kuminga, Grimes. To squeeze their teams :) Because all of them will match the offer sheets.
The Nets like the way Sharpe is developing, a FA. Thomas looks like someone they will want to keep, RFA. The GM has stated a preference for developing players over Free Agents, with 6 picks in this year’s draft. That should kill any speculation of a Kuminga-to-the-Nets rumors.
S/T Kuminga for Thomas who wins that trade?
I think I might lean towards Thomas. Seems like he could fit the Warriors needs better.
Ya know Arc. Generally, when people speculate or predict about transactions, and games, it is down a well worn path. When transactions happen, it usually something that was never mentioned before. Whoever thought the Pacers would be playing in game 7 of the Finals? Not the experts. Kudos for coming up with an idea different from all the rest. Makes people think.
Unfortunately I picked OKC in 6 at the start of the series. What i think most people do not understand in playoffs and finals it mostly defense that wins in a 7 game series. Pacers head coach is a great defensive coach. It takes time to understand basketball and all the little things going on that people do not see. I just wish I knew what i know now when I was playing in school.
The great Baltimore Orioles manager once said, “The more I know about baseball; the less I know about baseball”.
In a way, it is not surprising that the Pacers made it this far. Defense is about team play. They had a bunch of injuries to start the season. So, they had to come together to succeed.
He’s never played 70 plus games in a season and putting up points with a low shooting percentage on bad teams
I’m sure they will be dumb enough to overpay for him.
He is young and his shooting keeps getting better. What would you consider an overpay?
I remember Nets didn’t want to play Thomas until they were forced to because of injuries. Anyway, when they played him he scored and scored and scored. So now what will the Nets do?
Nets need to re-sign Cam Thomas, I would also try to sign Caleb Martin and put together a trade for either Giannis or Zion
In BKN’s place, I’m running away (fast) from making a long term commitment to Thomas. He’s a specialty piece that I wouldn’t value much in a full rebuild, which, IMO, has to focus on team-oriented 2 way players.
He could fit better elsewhere (I see his highest and best being as a scorer off the bench). I would prefer to have Grimes and would certainly be willing to swap players in reciprocal S&Ts with PHI (although it may not be that simple).
Worst case, I’d do a deal with no more than 2-3 years gtd, and having a declining salary scale, i.e., a very tradable contract, hopefully anyway.