Cam Thomas lingered in restricted free company for a lot of the summer season, hoping for an enormous contract that by no means got here. Now, armed with only a one-year, $6 million qualifying provide, he enters one other prove-it season in Brooklyn, playing on himself to form his future.
The Nets reportedly put two affords on the desk for Thomas: a two-year, $30 million take care of a crew choice and a one-year, $9.5 million contract that might have reached $11 million with incentives however required waiving his no-trade clause.
Contemporary off a four-year, $10.46 million rookie contract, the 23-year-old selected to go on each affords.
“I’d rather control my situation,” Thomas stated. “As a player, that’s the type of control you want in your situation. So, I just wanted to keep that aspect of it. It doesn’t really matter what the conversations were. I’m just here to play my game and keep doing what I was doing.”
Thomas is betting that if he stays wholesome and builds on his manufacturing, he can safe a richer, multi-year deal as an unrestricted free agent in 2026, whether or not in Brooklyn or elsewhere. Defending his leverage has grow to be Thomas’ precedence, a actuality common supervisor Sean Marks addressed when weighing in on the standoff.
“I think both sides understand what’s at stake, but I also don’t want to jump to conclusions,” Marks stated. “Just 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.”
It’s a daring wager, and one which carries actual danger.
Thomas missed 57 video games in 2024–25, sidelined largely by a lingering left hamstring problem. Within the 25 video games he did play, he delivered career-best numbers: 24.0 factors, 3.3 rebounds and three.8 assists per sport whereas taking pictures 43.8% from the sector, 34.9% from 3-point vary and 88.1% on the free throw line.
When wholesome, Thomas proved he can rating at an elite degree. However his availability was restricted, and the Nets went simply 18–39 with out him. One other injury-riddled season may additional drive down his market worth, and with out a long-term deal in place, his monetary security internet stays skinny.
If Thomas’ scoring dips this season, or if he fails to enhance his effectivity, it should solely reinforce the notion that he’s a one-dimensional or microwave scorer, a label that might additional weaken his leverage in contract talks. His worth is tied on to taking part in time and shot making, each of which might be tougher to return by if his function shifts.
Brooklyn is making an attempt to work 5 first-round picks into the rotation, 4 of them guards. Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Drake Powell and Ben Saraf are seen because the backcourt of the long run, and so they’ll get alternatives if prepared. Ought to the Nets reduce Thomas’ minutes, it might clearly restrict his potential to showcase his sport.
Nonetheless, the dangers lengthen past well being and efficiency. The 2026 market will likely be crowded, and cap area will likely be tight across the league. With extra competitors for restricted cash, and a entrance workplace he might have alienated by strolling away from a team-friendly extension, Thomas may discover himself with fewer suitors than anticipated.
“You obviously look at everything, and you consider everything, but at the end of the day I felt like there was more pros to me taking the QO than me taking any other deal, honestly,” Thomas stated.
However what if Thomas’ wager truly hits?
With one other sturdy season, one which pairs high-usage scoring with effectivity, improved playmaking, defensive focus and a transparent influence on profitable, Thomas may set up himself as one of many league’s most harmful younger scorers and a participant price constructing round. He’ll be free to market himself to any crew in want of offensive firepower, with out the Nets holding matching rights.
If the rookies stumble out of the gate, Thomas’ inventory soars. Ought to he seize the function of Brooklyn’s go-to scorer, even with a veteran reminiscent of Michael Porter Jr. on the roster, he may power the franchise to pay up and make him a part of its basis. And if he thrives, the gamble turns into legend — a younger guard who wager on himself and at last made the league consider.
“He looks great, his body, the way he’s worked, and watching him play pickup with his teammates,” head coach Jordi Fernandez stated. “And I think that’s the most important thing, focusing on what’s in front of you and seeing him fight and compete at the highest level.”
Adversity has shadowed Thomas since he entered the league. Teaching modifications, labels that caught, commerce rumors, fixed uncertainty. Now comes his best take a look at. This season, this wager, is about greater than cash or minutes. It’s about conviction — the assumption that his expertise, his work and his resilience can take him the place doubters insist he gained’t go.
The chance is simple, however so is his religion in himself. His profession’s subsequent chapter will likely be written in actual time, one shot, one sport, one gamble at a time.
“It’ll all come back around,” Thomas stated. “But really just playing my game and really understanding what Jordi wants. So, I think that’s really what helped me and another year of that will be even better, so I can’t wait to get started.”
Initially Printed: September 24, 2025 at 1:48 PM EDT
