Cam Thomas is signing a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer to stay with the Brooklyn Nets, as reported by ESPN. This decision comes after the Nets couldn’t agree on a long-term deal. By choosing the qualifying offer, Thomas gains a full no-trade clause and sets himself up for unrestricted free agency next summer, joining over ten teams with salary cap space.
At just 23 years old, Thomas was the first among several restricted free agents to make a decision. He’s only the fifth former first-round pick to sign a qualifying offer since 2017, highlighting the rarity of this move.
His agents discussed multiple deal structures with the Nets. Offers included two years for $30 million with a team option or one year for $9.5 million with performance incentives. These deals would have waived the no-trade clause, which Thomas opted to keep.
The Nets had significant cap space entering free agency, making them a key player in the market for restricted free agents. This situation slowed down the market for other players.
Last season, Thomas averaged 24 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.3 rebounds in just 25 games, hampered by hamstring injuries. This was unusual for him, as it was his first season facing such extensive downtime. Interestingly, he was double-teamed 18% of the time, one of the highest rates among players with over 1,000 touches, trailing only stars like Zion Williamson and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Over the last two seasons, Thomas has averaged 22.9 points per game in 31.4 minutes. This is impressive compared to his earlier average of just 9.5 points in his first two seasons. He’s also recorded nine career games with 40 points, ranking fourth in Nets history, behind legends like Vince Carter, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant.
Looking ahead, how he performs this season could set the stage not just for his own career but possibly for the Nets’ strategy in the coming years. As Thomas continues to develop, keep an eye on how his choices shape both his future and the Nets’ prospects.
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