NBA Notes: Nets, Cam Thomas, Pistons, Malik Beasley, Celtics, Derrick White

Nets

The Nets made several of their offseason transactions official Tuesday, but one notable name remains unresolved. Cam Thomas, the team’s leading scorer from last season, is still a restricted free agent with no offer sheet and no agreement in sight.

According to Nets Daily, Brooklyn is hesitant to overpay the 22-year-old guard, despite his consistent production and offensive upside. There has been little buzz around other teams preparing an offer sheet, and the Nets appear to be content playing the long game.

“I would say Cam Thomas wants to be paid and apparently the Nets aren’t eager to pay him,” ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said on the Brooklyn Boys podcast.

Thomas averaged 22.5 points per game in 2023–24 and played a career-high 65 games. Whether Brooklyn is waiting for the market to dictate his value or simply reluctant to commit long-term remains a key storyline to watch in the coming weeks.

Pistons

Pistons president Trajan Langdon acknowledged that the organization was caught off guard by the gambling investigation involving guard Malik Beasley, which forced the front office to pull a reported three-year, $42 million offer from the table just hours before free agency opened.

Speaking to reporters, Langdon said the news left them with “not much time” to adjust.

“I was able to communicate with Malik and his agent Saturday, which was obviously right before we could start talking to free agents on Sunday,” Langdon said, via Detroit Free Press reporter Omari Sankofa II. “It was disappointing for us, because we were excited to get him back.”

Celtics

Derrick White saw two of his starting teammates — Jrue Holiday and Al Horford — traded this offseason, but the newly-extended guard says he never seriously feared he would be next.

White, who signed a four-year, $118 million extension that kicks in for the 2025–26 season, told the Celtics Talk Podcast that he remained confident in his future with the team, despite the usual summer swirl of trade speculation.

“I think every summer is pretty crazy, especially nowadays,” White said. “But I didn’t feel too worried about anything. My agent and Brad (Stevens) had been talking and all the other rumors and stuff, I wasn’t really too worried about.”

White added that while he appreciates interest from other teams, his preference was to stay in Boston.

“I mean, I feel like it’s cool to be wanted by other teams, but I wanted to stay in Boston, and I was glad they wanted to keep me,” he said.