Nets Reportedly Haven't 'Significantly' Engaged Cam Thomas in NBA FA Contract Talks
Cam Thomas' future with the Brooklyn Nets is reportedly still very much up in the air.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported Thursday the Nets "have yet to even significantly engage" in contract discussions with the restricted free agent. While general manager Sean Marks has been known to be aggressive with restricted free agents such as Otto Porter Jr, Tyler Johnson and Allen Crabbe in the past, Fischer noted that has not been the case this summer.
It was reasonable to expect the Nets to engage in discussions with Thomas considering they have the most cap space in the NBA this offseason.
However, the Utah Jazz are the only other team without negative cap space in the league, as of Thursday, which limits the player's leverage. After all, there aren't that many potential suitors who could pay him what he is looking for even as Brooklyn has reportedly not held many serious discussions.
Fischer previously reported the market for Thomas was essentially nonexistent.
For his part, Thomas said earlier this offseason he "definitely" wants to return to the Nets. However, he may need to lower his asking price if that is going to happen.
Nets Daily reported he was looking for "a deal as high as $100 million over four years," but the latest indications are that both sides have plenty of ground to make up if he is going to come back to the team that drafted him in the first round in 2021.
Thomas is just 23 years old and a scoring machine who averaged 24.0 points, 3.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds in his 25 games last season. He also posted 22.5 points a night across 66 games during the 2023-24 campaign.
He dealt with hamstring injuries that limited him last season, so there may be some hesitation on Brooklyn's part if it is concerned about his durability. But he is a young playmaker who would seemingly fit into the team's rebuilding timeline as it turns its attention toward gradually developing a contender in the Eastern Conference.
But any potential return would require a change in momentum regarding the contract discussions.
