Cam Thomas can get buckets. That much is not up for debate. When he is on, he looks like a walking 30-piece on any given night. He has a deep bag to get the ball in the net, pull-ups, floaters, deep threes, you name it. Thomas can catch fire in a heartbeat, and when he does, he can swing a game on his own. But now, with free agency around the corner, he wants to be paid like a star, and that is where things get messy for Brooklyn
Thomas just posted the best numbers of his career, 24 points per game while showing flashes of improved passing. There were moments this past season where he looked like more than just a scorer. At times he showed flashes where he performed smart drive-and-kick reads, or smart interior feeds. But those glimpses were surrounded by stretches of tunnel vision and isolation-heavy possessions that didn’t always move the offense forward.
The elephant in the room:
This being said, it's important to still address the elephant in the room…he only played 25 games last season. A nagging hamstring kept pulling him off the court just when it looked like he was getting into a proper flow. Availability is not everything in the NBA, but it is close.
That is what makes his free agency so complicated. Thomas has real value. There is a world where he has the upside to be a number one guy or even a lethal sixth man or a dynamic secondary scorer on a playoff team. But that being said its hard to tell with the small sample size over the few years.
That is why at the moment Cam Thomas should be paid a Mid-Level Exception and nothing more, roughly starter money for a bench spark plug who can take over a quarter. But if Thomas wants more than that, if he’s expecting star money and a central role, the Nets have to pause. Because right now, he’s not that guy. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
This isn’t just about dollars.
It’s about direction. If Brooklyn locks into a big deal with a one-dimensional scorer who hasn’t shown he can stay healthy or elevate others, they risk freezing their flexibility. This team isn’t one piece away, they need roster balance, defensive anchors, and leadership. Cam doesn’t check all those boxes yet.
Still, letting him walk is a gamble too. He is still super young. If another team scoops him up, keeps him healthy, and helps round out his game, Brooklyn could be watching him blow up from afar, and asking themselves what could’ve been.
The smart play?
Offer something in that MLE range, set clear expectations, and see if he can grow into more. Don’t overpay for hope, but don’t lose talent for nothing. The Nets are at a crossroads. And whichever path they choose, could make or break their future.