Cam Thomas Calls Out Nets After Being Released at NBA Trade Deadline, 'They Don't Believe in Nobody'

Brooklyn Nets during a one-on-one interview with Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.

The Nets and Thomas spoke about a long-term deal last offseason, but contract negotiations fell through. Thomas eventually signed a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer with a full no-trade clause, making him an unrestricted free agent. Brooklyn also attempted to trade Thomas before this year's deadline, but that did not come to fruition either.

Brooklyn waived Thomas on Feb. 5, the trade deadline date. Milwaukee signed Thomas three days later.

Thomas made clear how he felt when he commented to Andscape's Marc J. Spears following the parting of ways.

"Super excited ready to actually help and contribute to another team," Thomas told Spears. "My next team is getting elite scoring, good playmaking and a good combo guard."

Per ESPN's Vincent Goodwill on Feb. 5, "the relationship with the Nets appeared to sour when Thomas was pulled from a Jan. 23 game against the Celtics for refusing to shoot when the shot clock was running down, preferring to pass."

Thomas missed 20 games earlier this year with a left hamstring strain. He averaged 31.6 minutes per game in his first seven contests before suffering the ailment in his eighth matchup.

Thomas played 16 more games with the Nets after coming back from injury, but he never suited up for more than 25 minutes in any of the contests. The decreased playing time perhaps represented a sign that the Nets didn't value Thomas the same as in the past.

Bondy asked Thomas why he felt the Nets maybe didn't believe in him, and he provided the following response.

"I never asked. I don't even care anymore. I'm on a different team. I don't want to talk about them much. But that's what it was. They didn't believe," Thomas said. "Always thought—I don't know. They always thought something was better, I guess. I don't know. Always chasing something."

Thomas is a fantastic scorer at his best, and he averaged 22.9 points in 91 games over the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. He showcased that talent in Milwaukee, scoring 34 points in just 25 minutes in a 116-108 win over the Orlando Magic in his Bucks debut on Feb. 11.

Milwaukee is 5-3 on the court with Thomas, who has averaged 14.0 PPG in a Bucks uniform. It's clear the Bucks believe in him, and we'll see how he finishes the season before he enters unrestricted free agency this summer.