The Brooklyn Nets are entering a total rebuild after missing the playoffs last season. Mikal Bridges is already gone and several others are in the rumors. Brooklyn wants to bottom out and hopes to land the top selection in the loaded 2025 draft.
Cam Thomas was their leading scorer last season and plans to take another step forward. The 22-year-old has added some bulk this offseason and is ready to be one of the NBA’s top scorers.
There are plenty of holes in his game, but it is hard to find someone capable of averaging 22.5 points per game, especially one that is the age of most college seniors. Thomas is still improving, which is why the latest revelation was absolutely wild.
Some executives are dead wrong about Cam Thomas
Zach Lowe discussed the expected lottery teams with Steve Jones Jr. on a recent episode of the Lowe Post podcast. In it, Lowe had this to say about Thomas.
“Look, the guy can really score. I don’t know what to do with Cam Thomas. There are front office people, who probably frankly don’t watch Cam Thomas as much as I do because they have to watch college and international, who are just blanket like no, not even for the minimum. Not on our team.”
Lowe immediately disagreed by bringing up his ability to hit tough shots and his improving passing. Thomas is a volume scorer on a subpar team, but there are the makings of something exciting in his game.
To say no to Thomas on a minimum contract is ludicrous. He was the 35th leading scorer in the NBA last season and did it while shooting 44.2 percent from the field, 36.4 percent on his threes, and 85.6 percent from the free throw line. It was not like he shot under 40 percent. His 55.4 true shooting percentage ranked 149th in the NBA.
Thomas must improve to be a key cog on a contender but do not discount his scoring chops. He can hit shots from anywhere on the floor. The 6’4 guard may be best in a microwave sixth-man role, but that assumes the 22-year-old does not find a new level. Thomas must upgrade his defense, playmaking, and all-around game, but he would not be the first young talent to add to his arsenal.
The Nets will soon have to decide his worth. Thomas is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is extension-eligible. If a new deal is not reached before opening night, Thomas will be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2025. There will be bidders, but Brooklyn would have matching rights. It is all about finding an agreeable number before he hits the market.
Cam Thomas is already worth more than a minimum contract and will have plenty of opportunities to prove himself on the Brooklyn Nets this season. Can the 6’4 guard become a 30-point per-game scorer? Does he make the rest of the league take notice? Nets fans can only hope. Expect some monster performances and plenty of doubters being forced to eat their words.