Cam Thomas, selected 27th overall by the Nets in the 2021 NBA Draft, is set to enter restricted free agency. He’s shown consistent growth over his first four seasons but has yet to fully realize his NBA potential.
Will the young scoring guard peak with Brooklyn or find his stride with another team?
“I look forward to the summer and look forward to those conversations with [other] free agents, and we’ll see where it all plays out,” Nets general manager Sean Marks said. “But I do think it’s important to be able to keep your homegrown talent.”
Free agency marks a new chapter for the 23-year-old. He’s expected to fetch a qualifying offer of approximately $5.9 million, and as a restricted free agent, the Nets can match any offer sheets he receives from other teams.
“I know my value,” Thomas said. “I know what I’m worth around the league. It’s not really nothing for me to be intimidated or excited about because I know my value that I bring to a team… I definitely know I know my value and all my work. I think that’s all that matters to me.”
Thomas’ first three NBA seasons were tough to evaluate. His fourth year proved equally challenging, with limited court time because of injury and a lack of strong supporting talent when he did play.
Thomas averaged a career-high 24 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game last season but was restricted to only 25 games. Also, his three-point (34.9%) and overall shooting (43.8%) percentages declined in limited appearances.
“When I was available, I thought I had a great season when I was able to play,” Thomas said. “I learned a lot, really found out a lot about myself, on and off [the court]. Great season. Obviously, I’d love to be playing more, but sometimes, that’s just how the cards are dealt.”
The Nets should keep Thomas, despite his efficiency and injury concerns. At 23, he’s a high-potential scorer with growing playmaking skills. Brooklyn needs a franchise cornerstone, and with only the sixth-best lottery odds, there’s no certainty of drafting a generational talent in 2025.
Cam Thomas, a homegrown talent and fan favorite, is eager to stay with Brooklyn. The Nets, one of few teams with significant cap space in 2025, face limited competition for his services.
A proactive deal before free agency starts on June 29, potentially $80-100 million over four years according to some experts, could save cap space compared to matching a larger offer in a bidding war.
Above all, Thomas has remained loyal to the franchise that drafted him, and loyalty should count for something. His steady improvement deserves recognition and merits a rewarding contract.
“I never wavered from that,” Thomas said. “I always felt like [Brooklyn] was a great fit for me. Just seeing the team, even with the team at the time, it was a great fit. For me, obviously, I would’ve loved to play more, get more run. But it was just part of the league, part of the business. I understood, but I never wavered.
“I always loved playing here, even when I got the opportunity to play in front of fans, everybody in the arena. I got excited when I was out there playing, scoring. I definitely love playing in Barclays, playing in front of everybody. Even now, I’m just playing freely, playing with a green light, I would say. So, just experiencing that has been great, but definitely never wavered from the match made in heaven that I said on draft day. It still applies to this day for me.”
