The Brooklyn Nets are entering a rebuild and have several decisions left to make. Cam Thomas was the franchise’s leading scorer last season. He has progressively improved over his first three NBA seasons, but is not satisfied. Thomas will add more to his game and has a key trait in mind for the 2024-25 season.
The 22-year-old is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is extension-eligible before the start of the regular season. Thomas will be a restricted free agent next summer if no deal is reached, but the Nets certainly do not want to risk losing him. There has not been a ton of chatter about a fresh contract, and the franchise has work to do.
Spending got more difficult under the new CBA. Teams cannot afford to overpay talent, and the Nets could be looking at a Zach LaVine situation if they are not careful in the extension talks with Thomas.
Nets cannot overpay Cam Thomas in his rookie extension
Thomas is an absolute bucket, but max contracts must be reserved for superstars in the new landscape. The Nets guard produced 0.058 win shares per 48 minutes, which is well below the league average of 0.100. Brooklyn won just 23 of his 66 games played, which is a 28.5-win pace for a team that won 32 contests. The Nets were arguably better without Thomas last season.
The scoring is flashy, but Zach LaVine has scored over 23 points per game in five of the last six years. His team has made the playoffs just once and the Bulls cannot find a taker for his massive contract. There are injury questions, but high-priced players must impact winning.
The Mavericks had to send draft capital out to dump Tim Hardaway Jr. this summer because he was another hyper-focused scorer who could not live up to his contract.
The Nets must be careful. Giving Thomas $100-plus million could certainly come back to bite them over the next five years. He will want a massive payday after breaking out as a 22-year-old, but Brooklyn must hold firm if they do not believe he can live up to the contract. The Nets are better off trading Thomas than giving him a massive deal he can never live up to.
How much is too much? It is a difficult question that hinges on Thomas’ improvement. He is still years away from his peak, but is he strictly a scorer? Thomas must upgrade his defense, playmaking, and leadership to be worth a massive extension. The salary cap will continue to rise as the NBA's new television money trickles in. It is a fantastic time to sign Thomas long-term, but only if the contract makes sense for both sides.
This is one of the most interesting extension decisions to watch. Fans will soon find out how the Brooklyn Nets view Cam Thomas as they begin a rebuild. The franchise must be cautious. His new deal could turn into a steal or a disaster. Only time will tell, but the result will determine how quickly the Nets can back into contention.