NBA insider Jake Fischer reported Wednesday during a Bleacher Report live stream (YouTube link) that he continues to hear that restricted free agent guard Cam Thomas is weighing whether to sign his $6MM qualifying offer or accept a two-year deal with the Nets worth around $14MM annually. The catch is the second year is a team option, meaning only the first season is guaranteed.
“Cam Thomas’s situation seems to be a decision between taking his qualifying offer or a two-year deal with a team option that is north of the qualifying offer from Brooklyn, somewhere around $14 million in average annual value,” Fischer said.
For what it’s worth, league sources not connected to the situation speculated to Kurt Helin of NBC Sports that Thomas might accept a two-year deal with a team option if he received closer to what Golden State reportedly offered Jonathan Kuminga ($45MM). While Helin acknowledges that the Nets have the edge in negotiating leverage, he wonders if the two sides will eventually reach some sort of compromise — perhaps a second-year player option or a partial guarantee in year two — to hash out a new deal.
Here are a few more rumors and notes on NBA veterans who remain unsigned:
- There’s still no indication that any NBA team besides Sacramento is seriously considering signing Russell Westbrook, Fischer said yesterday in the same Bleacher Report live stream (hat tip to Dallas Hoops Journal). “We are still waiting to see what other moves could come in Sacramento before the Kings try to bring Russell Westbrook in,” Fischer said. “And that’s been the one home all along that we really have looked at for Russell Westbrook and that’s still the home that I have heard earlier this week is the most likely outcome for Russell Westbrook if he’s gonna be in the NBA at all. Honestly, that’s really the only home we’ve heard for him.”
- Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report takes a look at four potential landing spots for Ben Simmons, including the Kings, Knicks and Warriors.
- While the Knicks and Simmons have mutual interest and the 29-year-old could end up in New York, Ian Begley of SNY.tv thinks the former No. 1 overall pick is “probably” more likely to land with another team, he said Tuesday on The Putback (YouTube link). New York only has enough room below its second-apron hard cap to sign one veteran to a minimum-salary deal, and Begley is “kind of assuming” that contract will eventually go to Landry Shamet. The Knicks have also kicked the tires on Malcolm Brogdon, though Begley noted they would likely have to make a trade to sign two of those three players.
Ridiculous that Simmons has more suitors than Russ. Ben doesn’t wanna be here, his time in NBA should be over.
Russ on the other hand proved he can still help teams as long as he isn’t asked to do too much.
Why isn’t phoenix interested in Russ? They straight up don’t have a pg lol. But I won’t pretend to understand that front office
Well, it’s kinda simple. Simmons would take an end of the bench role. Westbrook wouldn’t. Westbrook has more value, but at what cost?
I think either would help Milwaukee. Russ may be a bit redundant with KPJ and Anthony, but Simmons could give them one of the top defensive units in the league.
Are we sure that’s the case with Russ? I took the report as teams having no interest in him at all, not that they just don’t like Russ’s preferences.
And even if you’re right, I think Russ is justified in that– i don’t think he should be playing major minutes, but at very least as a 9th guy giving you 15 mins he is great. And he’s a more than capable reg szn innings eater if you have injuries .
Regardless though, if Im a team with any aspirations I wouldn’t touch Simmons w a 10 foot pole. Horrible vibes, refuses to shoot and we know he does not care about basketball. Why on earth would you want that? At least Brogdon, Shamet etc, even random hungry 2-way guy would try.
Also Simmons dealing w the Knicks media market is laughable . Couldn’t even handle Brooklyn
You think Westbrook would be the 15th man someplace and sit on the end of the bench? He wouldn’t.
Simmons is all about sitting at the end of the bench.
If Simmons didn’t want to be in the NBA he wouldn’t have had two back surgeries.
It’s the same old song and dance with Westbrook at this stage of his career. “As long as people don’t ask him to do much”, etc etc. It doesn’t matter what a team asks him to do – he’s still going to put up 3’s (badly) and turn the ball over.
Teams don’t want guards who can’t shoot and give the ball away. No amount of cheap defensive rebounds can overcome that.
Westbrook wouldn’t be asked to do too much.
Problem is, asked or not, he’s gonna try to do too much – especially the closer it gets to late-March/April.
He can blow your whole season in a week-and-half.
Low-key Ben to the kings could be a smart deal.
Assuming the starters are Schroder LaVine DeRozan Murray and Sabonis.
Simmons could then be there de facto point forward off the bench and run double shooting guards with Keon and Malik. He’d be a massive plus on the defensive end and with Keon there aswell it would make for a nice combo. Plus they are thin on forwards, good defenders and playmakers, and Ben ticks those boxes. He wouldn’t really fit with DeRozan because of the lack of shooting and even Sabonis and him could be clunky.
A second unit of Monk Ellis Clifford Ben and Reynaurd/Eubanks/Saric would have some potential. Rey showed ability to shoot in college and Saric has obviously played a lot of stretch 5.
It would also suit being in Cali, but not in the bright lights and on a team with little to no expectations. The Knicks make sense for the defence and lack of forward depth aswell but way bigger expectations and the fans their are very tough.
Simmons got no huevos. He’s done.
Let it go.
I can’t believe Brogdon will sign for minimum. Thats a bargain for any team. Mavs and Pacers should be all over this.
Cam Thomas isn’t worth 14 mill. Nets will sign him just to trade him.
Knicks could make a small trade. Then will be able to sign Landry and Ben.
Nets sign Cam Thomas 14 mill.
Then in a three way with Magic and Knicks.
Nets get Mitch Robinson, Kolek, two 2nd rd picks (Knicks). One 2nd rd pick (Magic).
Magic get Cam Thomas …..
Knicks get Jonathan Issac, Wolf ……