How the Brooklyn Nets’ smart decisions may have come one season too late for Cam Thomas

Brooklyn Nets added playmakers to maximize Cam Thomas

Between Demin, Traore, and Saraf, the Nets added three rookies who can run point. Thomas averaged 18.2 field goal attempts per game last season, although his shooting percentages left a lot to be desired.

Between Ben Simmons, Killian Hayes, Dennis Schroder, and D’Angelo Russell, the Nets had their fair share of facilitators last season, although all of them were on the final season of their contracts and were looking to score (with the exception of Simmons), limiting Thomas’ effectiveness as an off-ball player.

With three rookie point guards and Danny Wolf, who has been compared to Nikola Jokic for his passing abilities, the Nets should be able to open up the offense.

On top of that, they added Michael Porter Jr., replacing Cameron Johnson and keeping an elite floor spacer on the roster.

Cam Thomas’ defensive shortcomings should be masked

Last season, the Nets ranked 20th in defensive rating. Nic Claxton played a smaller role than ever since his breakout three seasons ago, and the Nets rested their best players with varying degrees of frequency, limiting their defensive success.

With Claxton hopefully poised to have a bigger role and the addition of athletic and larger rookie guards, the Nets should be able to anchor the paint and address point of attack defense.

Of course, as a young team with no delusions of competing for a playoff spot next season, the Nets’ defense won’t be elite, although Thomas, who is one of the league’s weakest defenders, should be able to mask that area of improvement with capable–at the very least–defenders around him.

Cam Thomas is poised to have a breakout season one year too late

Between the continued floor spacing and improved defense and facilitating, Thomas should be able to continue to improve, perhaps poised to have the most well-rounded season of his young career.

Unfortunately for him, it’s coming one season too late. The Nets can retain him on a one-year qualifying offer worth $6 million, which is a fraction of the salary he is looking for.

Of course, the Nets would prefer to ink him to a long-term, affordable deal, but if they are unable to reach common ground in negotiations, expect him to explore unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career next season.

If he hits the open market after showcasing that he is more than just a volume scorer with limitations on both ends of the floor, he can expect a hefty payday. However, if the Nets had made all of these adjustments last season, he would have been poised to negotiate harder before his rookie contract expired.