Nets Notes: Thomas, Highsmith, Demin, Powell, Claxton

Cam Thomas signed his qualifying offer worth just under $6MM earlier this month after the restricted free agent couldn’t come to terms on a contract with the Nets. That suggests that Thomas won’t be on the roster beyond this season but GM Sean Marks tried to downplay that aspect of the failed negotiations.

“It’s maybe the ugly part of the business when you can’t find a common ground… I also don’t want to jump to conclusions because a common ground couldn’t be met this summer doesn’t mean he’s not a Net in the future or throughout the season,” Marks said, per Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype (Twitter link).

Thomas struck a similar tone with the media.

“I’d rather control my situation. As a player that’s the type of control you want in your situation…Just going to finish the year and we’ll see what happens. But I’m happy to be here to play in front of fans again,” he said.

Thomas will now roll the dice on himself, as he’ll be an unrestricted free agent next summer. That outcome excites the high-scoring guard, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post (Twitter links).

“It was more pros to me taking the QO than taking any other deal. You want to keep the power that you have as a player as much as you can, as long as you can. So that was really the main deciding factor in taking the qualifying offer,” he said.

Here’s more on the Nets:

• Forward Haywood Highsmith, acquired from the Heat in mid-August, tore meniscus in his right knee during an offseason workout and underwent surgery to address the injury. He believes he’s on track to suit up by opening night, Lewis reports (Twitter link). “Right now, I’m 6 ½ weeks out of surgery, so I’m doing jogging, spot-shooting, movements and workouts,” he said. “Not 100 percent. Light contact. And the plan for me is to be ready for the start of the regular season.”
• Rookies Egor Demin and Drake Powell will be limited at the start of training camp because of injuries, according to C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News. Demin, the No. 8 pick of the draft, has been recovering from a plantar fascia tear suffered after Summer League. Powell, selected with the No. 22 pick, missed Summer League with left knee tendinopathy and has yet to be cleared for full 5-on-5 work. “I’m not a doctor, so it’s hard for me to even tell what’s going on with it,” Demin said. “So, for me, it’s just important to stay present and I’m trying to focus on whatever plan I have from the physicians, right, and whatever timing I have from them.”
• Nic Claxton signed a four-year, $100MM contract to remain with the team last season but the big man averaged fewer points, rebounds and blocks than the previous season, in part due a nagging back injury. Claxton said his back is fine and he’s mentally and physically ready to go for camp, Lewis tweets.