With players like Ben Simmons set to become a free agent in 2025, the Brooklyn Nets are projected to have $80.1 million in practical cap space next summer, per Spotrac.
The departure of Simmons may actually feel like a weight off of Brooklyn’s back, no pun intended. When healthy, Simmons has been one of the best point guards in the NBA. However, back problems have led to the three-time All-Star playing 57 games over the past three seasons.
Then there’s Cam Thomas, who has been held back throughout his NBA career. Like Simmons, Thomas is a product of LSU, drafted 27th overall in 2021. The 22-year-old is coming up on the final season of his rookie contract and has the option of signing an extension before next summer. Though the Nets have expressed interest in Thomas re-signing, there are no guarantees, especially with him coming off of a career season and looking for a major role.
That would take a lot of money and maybe just as much faith. However, Thomas isn’t worried about the negotiations.
“I’m pretty sure my agent will have conversations with them,” Thomas told reporters after Monday’s practice, “But I’m just worried about the season. This is the opportunity I’ve been wanting since I got into the league: to play, be free, so I’m just gonna make the most of it, and whatever happens, happens.”
Though he still has a chip on his shoulder, Thomas also believes that he doesn’t have anything to prove.
As the Nets want him to be more consistent in every facet of the game, including scoring, he may be misguided in this belief. Thomas has shown himself to be a potential go-to player for the Nets, exploding for as many as 47 points. He has an uncanny ability to get the ball in the basket from virtually anywhere on the floor while taking shots from a variety of angles. However, if he’s going to be the first or second option, the 6-foot-4 firecracker has to do more than get his.
He has to be able to make the game easier for his teammates, preferably at both ends.
To Thomas’s credit, he showed steady improvement as a playmaker and defender in the second half of 2023-24. His effort improved, as did his awareness and decision-making. In March, he even averaged 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Now, he has to perform at —or around —that level for an entire season.
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