Cam Thomas could have secured more money and more years. Instead, the Brooklyn Nets guard chose to bet on himself.
Thomas will return to the Nets on a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer, according to ESPN. The deal makes Thomas just the fifth former first-round pick since 2017 to accept a qualifying offer, a rare path that gives him an implied no-trade clause and the chance to enter unrestricted free agency in 2026.
A Rare Move in Restricted Free Agency
The qualifying offer is often viewed as a last resort in restricted free agency, but Thomas saw it as his best route forward. Brooklyn had offered a two-year, $30 million contract with a team option for the second season and a separate one-year deal worth $9.5 million with incentives up to $11 million, according to ESPN. Thomas turned down both proposals in order to maintain control over his future.
Restricted free agency has become a difficult market for players. With fewer teams carrying cap space and offer sheets tying up salary room for three days, few young players have found leverage. This summer, Chicago’s Josh Giddey, Golden State’s Jonathan Kuminga and Philadelphia’s Quentin Grimes all faced similar challenges as negotiations dragged on.
Cam Thomas’ Value to Brooklyn
When Thomas played, he delivered. The 23-year-old averaged 24.0 points, 3.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds last season, though he was limited to 25 games due to hamstring injuries. It was the first extended absence of his career, but his scoring ability was clear whenever he stepped on the floor.
Over the past two seasons, Thomas has averaged nearly 23 points per game, more than doubling his production from his first two years in the league. He already has nine career 40-point games, trailing only Vince Carter, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in franchise history.
What’s Next?
Drafted 27th overall in 2021, Thomas has become Brooklyn’s most dynamic scorer. His breakout 2023-24 season included surpassing Bernard King for the most 40-point games by a Net 22 or younger. Last November, he poured in 43 against the New York Knicks, showing again his ability to take over offensively.
But his future with the Nets remains uncertain. Brooklyn finished 26-56 last season and is in the midst of a rebuild after selecting five players in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, led by No. 8 pick Egor Demin. New addition Michael Porter Jr. is expected to take on a larger role after arriving from Denver.
For now, the Nets benefit from keeping their leading scorer on a team-friendly contract. For Thomas, it’s a chance to stay healthy, continue producing, and position himself for a much bigger payday in unrestricted free agency.
