The Brooklyn Nets saw glimpses of Cam Thomas' talent during his rookie year. During the 2021-22 season, Thomas played alongside legends like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving and yet still emerged as a major team factor. Fast forward three years later, and Thomas and the Nets face a predicament.
Thomas began the final year of his rookie contract with the Nets at the start of the 2024-25 season. Brooklyn had the opportunity to extend his contract before the season started, but the two sides did not get a deal done. Since Thomas did not sign an extension, he will enter unrestricted free agency during the summer of 2025. Teams will have the opportunity to offer Thomas a contract in which the Nets can match or let Thomas walk free.
Thomas' contract value has been hard to gauge amongst reporters and analysts who follow the Nets. However, rumors hold that some front office executives are not yet sold on the idea of Thomas getting anything close to a max contract. But Thomas' progression with Brooklyn through his first three years and his start to the 2024-25 season say otherwise.
Nets have will to fully commit to Thomas eventually
It was not a bad move for Brooklyn to let Thomas hit the 2025 free agency market, given the cloud that surrounds his contract value. But anyone who watches the NBA knows Thomas is one of the best bucket-getters in the league, and his numbers show that.
After averaging 8.5 points per game in a limited rookie role, Thomas improved to a 10.6 mark in his second year before averaging a career-high 22.5 points during the 2023-24 season. Thomas overtook former Nets building block Mikal Bridges as the team's leading scorer.
Through his first three games of 2024-25, Thomas has continued his impressive trajectory, averaging 30.7 points (fifth in the NBA), 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.5 steals. If he keeps up his production, teams will not hesitate to throw a sizable contract at him during the 2025 offseason. And when that happens, the Nets will have to make a choice.
Brooklyn must match whatever offers come Thomas' way. He still has things to work on, such as his defense, playmaking, and improving his efficiency, but he is proving that he is a cornerstone for the Nets. Doing what it takes to keep Thomas in Brooklyn long-term will bode well for continuing rapport with the fan base. Plus, the Nets can simply acquire and develop pieces around Thomas to complement his weak points.
It might still be early for the Nets to decide in their minds to fully commit to Thomas, but with the way things are going, fully investing in looks to be a good option.