As NBA free agency has progressed without securing a deal for Cam Thomas, the Brooklyn Nets guard remains unsigned despite an impressive 2024-25 season. Thomas is reportedly aiming for an annual salary close to $40 million, aligning his expectations with other top young guards like Tyler Herro, Jalen Green, and Immanuel Quickley. This demand highlights his belief in deserving compensation that matches his scoring talent and playmaking skills.
Targeted Market Value Compared to Rising NBA Guards
According to a league source cited by Nets Daily, Thomas is positioning his market value alongside notable young players. The source noted,
“One league source told NetsDaily where Thomas sees his market, using comparable players around the league: Jalen Green, making $33.3 million per year until 2027-28, when he has a $36 million player option. Immanuel Quickley, making $32.5 million over the next four years. Tyler Herro averaging $32 million over the next two years. That’s where he sees his market, if not higher,”
highlighting Thomas’s ambition for a contract that could reach $40 million annually.
This comparison places Thomas among the league’s more lucrative young guard contracts, setting his financial expectations significantly above recent offers.
Declined Offers and Personal Assessment of Talent
Thomas reportedly rejected a two-year Brooklyn Nets offer averaging about $14.1 million per season, considering it inadequate relative to his valuation. The 23-year-old guard views himself as
“one of the most elite playmaker scorers”
in the NBA, and he expects any contract to reflect this self-assessment, underscoring his confidence despite limited interest in extending long-term deals.
NBA Context: Possible Shift Toward Short-Term Deal Structures
ESPN reporter Tim Bontemps provided insight into Thomas’s contract prospects, indicating that a short-term agreement might be the most feasible outcome. He explained,
“Of the four prominent players in restricted free agency this summer, Thomas is most likely to be on his qualifying offer next season. If a deal gets done with Brooklyn, expect it to look, at least in structure, like the ones the Nets signed with center Day’Ron Sharpe and forward Ziaire Williams earlier this offseason: one-year deals with team options on the second.”
This suggests that Thomas’s path may involve shorter contracts similar to recent Nets signings, contrasting with his aspiration for a high-value long-term agreement.
Performance Metrics Highlight Thomas’s Value
Thomas entered the NBA as the 27th overall pick by Brooklyn in 2021 and has steadily improved. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 24.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, figures that support his claim to elite offensive contribution and justify his elevated contract expectations within the league’s competitive guard landscape.
Implications and What to Expect Moving Forward
The standoff between Thomas and the Nets reflects broader contract negotiation challenges for emerging NBA talents balancing personal valuation with team investment willingness. Should Thomas continue holding out for a deal near $40 million yearly, a short-term or qualifying offer scenario appears more likely in the near term. This situation will bear watching as free agency progresses and the Brooklyn Nets decide their roster and salary commitments.