Nets star's bold move could set major precedent in the NBA

Thomas gets full no-trade clause

Thomas accepted his one-year, $6M qualifying offer from the Nets Thursday, a deal that gives him a full no-trade clause for 2025-26 and allows him to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. After months of negotiations, Thomas and his agents concluded that taking a one-year offer was better than whatever long-term contract Brooklyn was offering, if any.

It's a bold move for Thomas, and not one without risk, but one he may have been forced to take. Brooklyn seems to have no interest in competing next season after spending the summer taking on unwanted salaries from other teams and adding five rookies in the first round of the draft. The Nets are likely tanking this season, as the Houston Rockets own swap rights to their 2027 pick, while also clearing cap space for next summer. They'll remain more than $22M under the cap next season even with Thomas on board.

Other RFAs could follow suit, but it's riskier

Since a long-term deal wasn't forthcoming, the high-scoring Thomas (24 PPG last season) chose to bet on himself. It's an option for the other unsigned restricted free agents: Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors, Josh Giddey of the Chicago Bulls and Quentin Grimes of the Philadelphia 76ers. All three have higher QOs than Thomas, but perhaps more at risk as well.

Kuminga's qualifying offer is worth $7.9M, while his team has offered two years and $45M, with the second year not guaranteed. With the first year of their offer set at $21.7M, that's a $13.8M risk Kuminga is taking. His qualifying offer is low because he didn't achieve "starter criteria" with starts or minutes played.

Giddey has a bigger QO due to his greater playing time than Kuminga. His is worth $11.2M for 2025-25, while the Bulls have reportedly offered him a four-year deal worth $80M — Giddey is looking for $30M per season instead. He'd also be risking a big chunk of cash, but $11.2M is a bigger, more lucrative security blanket.

As for Grimes, his QO is $8.7M. Philadelphia would like to pay him close to the mid-level exception — a deal starting around $14.1M. That would likely mean a three-year deal worth $45.7M, perhaps with a third-year player option.

Predictions

Of these restricted free agents, Kuminga has the most at risk by signing the QO but also seems most unhappy with his present team. It's hard to imagine the Bulls won't find a compromise with Giddey after trading Alex Caruso for him and starting him at point guard all season. Grimes has the least at risk if he's only giving up around $5M for next season, and the 76ers traded for him in a salary dump of Caleb Martin.

Grimes is most likely to take the QO, while Giddey is the least. For Kuminga, it makes too much sense for him and the Warriors to compromise on his deal before it's too late, perhaps by the team guaranteeing his full offer. Unless he's completely fed up with his old team, don't expect Kuminga to bet on himself like Thomas did.