Cam Thomas, a restricted free agent, is confronting a crucial choice between accepting a two-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets or risking the qualifying offer worth $5.9 million in hopes of a better contract next summer. This Cam Thomas contract negotiation dilemma arises as Brooklyn holds significant leverage, offering a deal far below the $40 million per season Thomas reportedly desires.
Market Valuation and Negotiation Stalemate
Thomas is reportedly seeking a contract near $40 million annually, but league insiders suggest this figure is out of reach. Sources familiar with the negotiations indicate an agreement similar to the Golden State Warriors’ offer to Jonathan Kuminga—two years at $45 million—might be acceptable to Brooklyn and help close a deal. Fred Katz of The Athletic surveyed sixteen league executives, most of whom valued Thomas between $20 million and $30 million per season, though they favored shorter two-year terms for the 23-year-old player.
Brooklyn’s Offer and Strategic Leverage
The Nets proposed a two-year contract at the mid-level exception of $14.1 million annually, with the second year as a team option. This structure grants Brooklyn flexibility by creating a tradable contract and leaves Thomas facing a difficult decision: accept a moderate annual salary with limited security or gamble by accepting the $5.9 million qualifying offer and pursuing unrestricted free agency next summer. <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA insider Jake Fischer noted on a Bleacher Report livestream that if any restricted free agent is likely to accept the qualifying offer, Thomas would be the candidate.
Cam Thomas’s situation seems to be a decision between taking his qualifying offer or a two-year deal with the team option that is north of the qualifying offer from Brooklyn somewhere around $14 million in average annual value.
—Jake Fischer, NBA Insider
Thomas’s Value to the Nets and Team Needs
Last season, Thomas averaged 24 points and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 34.9% from beyond the arc. His scoring ability is critical for Brooklyn as they prepare for a rebuilding phase alongside Michael Porter Jr. and Terrance Mann, players who also contribute to the team’s offense. The Nets’ offensive firepower hinges in part on retaining Thomas’s production in the upcoming season.
Timing and Pressure on Contract Decisions
With training camp more than a month away and the qualifying offer deadline not until October 1, both Thomas and Brooklyn currently face little immediate urgency to compromise. However, pressure will mount as these dates approach, likely forcing a resolution. Thomas and his agent, Alex Saratsis, must evaluate whether the potential market for Thomas’s talents will improve next year and whether Thomas is willing to take that gamble.
Potential Risks and Negotiation Outcomes
Accepting the Nets’ current offer means Thomas would forfeit roughly $8 million this season compared to his aspiration, a significant sum for a player who has yet to exceed $4 million in salary annually. Negotiations might evolve, possibly resulting in modifications such as a player option replacing the team option in the second year or guaranteed money added to provide more security. As September progresses, this contract negotiation will attract considerable attention due to the high stakes involved for Thomas and Brooklyn.