The Brooklyn Nets have faced some heavy criticism regarding their roster management tactics in recent years. One player who has remained a positive force for the Nets has been Cam Thomas. The 23-year-old has had his playing time in Brooklyn hampered by injuries. But when he is healthy and ready to play, he is easily one of Brooklyn’s best players. As a result, many have speculated about his future in Brooklyn, and the Nets have extended a qualifying offer to Thomas, making him an unrestricted free agent. Can the Nets front office and Thomas’ people work out a deal?
The Brooklyn Nets have faced many problems following their relocation from New Jersey
The Nets have a long history of punching above their weight in the NBA. Having players such as Jason Kidd helps in that pursuit of challenging the bigger teams in the NBA. The New Jersey Nets relocated to Brooklyn, New York, in 2012. The Brooklyn Nets became the new hope for glory in New York. The excitement around the new team was palpable. They even had Jay Z as a partial owner.
That excitement and expectations skyrocketed by the Nets acquiring three future Hall-of-Famers in Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. The hope was that with the trio of superstars, the Nets would establish their presence in the NBA and start a dynasty of winning in Brooklyn. However, the best-laid plans still have a chance at failing, and the trio never managed to jell in Brooklyn, and the plans for success fell apart.
The Nets have shifted their focus towards a major restructuring by investing in the future
The Nets have put all their eggs in the young basket. They selected four guards in the first round of the NBA draft this year in Brooklyn at their home arena. Which has led to some criticism from some in the NBA inner circle. According to reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Nets have agreed to trade Cam Johnson to the Denver Nuggets for Michael Porter Jr and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick.
Odds are that Cam Thomas will remain in Brooklyn for next season
Brooklyn Nets General Manager Sean Marks has stated that the Nets have plans to reconstruct the roster this offseason. Reports are that the Nets extended a qualifying offer to Cam Thomas, which makes him an unrestricted free agent. Thomas was limited to 25 regular-season games this season and averaged an impressive 24.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists despite his injury woes.
While the Nets and Thomas iron out a deal, Brooklyn has not extended qualifying offers to either Day’Ron Sharpe or Ziaire Williams, pointing even further to a roster reconstruction. The roster changes are coming fast and hard this offseason. ESPN Insider Bobby Marks, a former Nets assistant GM, proposed that Brooklyn could re-sign Thomas to a three-year, $54 million contract. Marks made the following statement regarding the situation in Brooklyn:
“What is his number in free agency? Is it 20-ish or somewhere around there? Consider it comparable to the Anfernee Simons contract that he signed about three years ago. Remember, Brooklyn has the right to match any offer sheet. You have leverage in the process until a team comes in with money, and who is that team going to be?”
Will Cam Thompson remain in Brooklyn or opt out of New York for greener pastures?
As the free agency is now open, the teams in the NBA are looking to make major moves, according to multiple reports. The Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday trades by the Boston Celtics were just the start in what promises to be the most entertaining offseason in recent memory. The Nets have plans to become more competitive in the future, and by signing four rookie guards, they have made investments in the future of the organization. Not even NBA icon Steve Nash could lead the Nets to glory, so they have a mountain to climb. Cam Thompson would surely help in that ascension.
