Cam Thomas remains at the center of a tense restricted free agency situation, as negotiations between the guard and the Brooklyn Nets continue without resolution. According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, Thomas is likely to return to the Nets since there appear to be no other serious contenders bidding for his services. The ongoing standoff revolves around the disagreement between Thomas’ contract expectations and the Nets’ official offer.
Contract Differences Create an Impasse
Fischer highlighted that Thomas is the most probable top restricted free agent to accept his qualifying offer, largely because the gap between his desired salary and the Nets’ proposal is considerable. Brooklyn has reportedly not extended an offer beyond a two-year contract, including a team option for the second year, which presumably would not exceed the $14.1 million mid-level exception threshold.
I have not heard that Brooklyn has offered Cam Thomas anything further than a two-year deal with a team option on the second (year) that I don’t believe is going much north – if north at all – of the $14.1 million mid-level exception,
Fischer said.
Cam Thomas thinks of himself as one of the most elite play-maker scorers in the NBA, and he wants to be compensated as such.
—Jake Fischer, Bleacher Report
… I definitely believes he wants north of $20 (million per year),
Fischer added, underscoring the significant disparity between Thomas’ salary expectations and the Nets’ current offer. —Jake Fischer, Bleacher Report
Cam Thomas’ Performance and Injury Impact
Thomas has steadily improved his scoring average throughout his four NBA seasons, reaching a career high of 24.0 points and 3.8 assists per game in the 2024-25 season. However, his availability was limited to just 25 games last season due to hamstring problems. Moreover, his shooting efficiency has fluctuated, with career averages of 43.9% from the field and 34.9% from three-point range. Defensively, he is not widely regarded as an above-average player.
Brooklyn Nets’ Contract Strategy and Cap Considerations
Brooklyn’s front office recently signed two-year deals with Day’Ron Sharpe and Ziaire Williams that also include second-year team options, indicating a consistent negotiation approach with Thomas. Despite acquiring multiyear contracts for Michael Porter Jr. and Terance Mann this offseason, the Nets maintain enough salary cap flexibility to preserve significant cap room heading into the 2026 offseason.
The Nets might improve their proposal for Thomas, but if the contract structure remains the same—with only one fully guaranteed year—Thomas must weigh the benefits of accepting his qualifying offer, valued at around $6 million. Accepting this would mean sacrificing over $8 million in potential earnings during the 2025-26 season, although it would allow him to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Additionally, accepting the qualifying offer would grant Thomas the right to veto trades during the 2025-26 season, providing him with a measure of control over his career trajectory.
Context Among Other Top Restricted Free Agents
Cam Thomas is among four restricted free agents who received standard qualifying offers in June and have yet to sign deals. The others include Josh Giddey of the Chicago Bulls, Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors, and Quentin Grimes of the Philadelphia 76ers. This holds importance as teams and players navigate complex salary negotiations amid evolving market conditions.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Cam Thomas?
A. Cam Thomas is among four restricted free agents who haven’t signed a contract for next season. Recent news from Brooklyn indicates his agents and the Nets haven’t had serious contract discussions yet. Thomas is reportedly asking for around $30 million per season, while the Nets are considering a much lower amount.
Q. Why is Cam Thomas out?
A. NEW YORK (AP) — Cam Thomas, the top scorer for the Brooklyn Nets, is likely out for the season due to a strained left hamstring. The Nets announced on Saturday that Thomas got hurt in Thursday’s game against Chicago. In that game, he achieved his first career double-double, scoring 24 points and earning a personal best of 10 assists.
Q. Is Cam Thomas healthy?
A. He played in just 25 regular-season games, starting 23, because of various injuries. A hamstring strain cut his season short in mid-March. Thomas is predicted to be healthy for the 2025-26 season. This summer, his prospects in the free agency market will be an important topic of discussion.
Q. When did Cam Thomas get hurt?
A. Thomas’s birthplace is Yokosuka, in Japan’s Kanagawa Prefecture, since his mother was residing there. At age seven, he won a contest by sinking 33 free throws consecutively. As a ninth-grader, Thomas started playing basketball for Oscar F. Smith High School located in Chesapeake, Virginia.