Cam Thomas Bets on Himself, Signs $6 Million Qualifying Offer with Nets
Brooklyn’s Cam Thomas has finally made his decision for the upcoming season, signing a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer with the Nets after a lengthy free agency process.
The deal includes a full no-trade clause for the 2025-26 season.
Thomas will become an unrestricted free agent next summer, when over 10 NBA teams are projected to have cap space available.
ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news Thursday, ending speculation about the young scorer’s immediate future with Brooklyn.
Thomas was one of several notable restricted free agents still unsigned heading into September, along with Josh Giddey, Jonathan Kuminga, and Quentin Grimes. He’s the first of that group to finalize his plans for the upcoming season.
The decision appears to be a calculated gamble by the 24-year-old guard. Thomas is essentially betting on himself to have a standout season that will drive up his value in next year’s free agent market.
Interestingly, Thomas reportedly turned down more lucrative offers from the Nets. According to Charania, he declined both a two-year, $30 million extension and a one-year deal worth up to $11 million ($9.5 million base).
Instead, he’s taking $6 million – less than he’s earned over his entire four-year NBA career so far.
It’s a risky move. A strong season could lead to a massive payday next summer, but any regression could seriously hurt his market value.
Thomas has transformed from bench scorer to offensive centerpiece during his time in Brooklyn. Over his first two seasons, he averaged just 9.5 points per game in a limited role. But the last two years have seen him explode for 22.9 points per game as a starter.
The former first-round pick has appeared in 215 games for the Nets, including 80 starts. His scoring ability has become increasingly valuable to a Brooklyn team that’s gotten younger in recent seasons.
With his scoring punch and the no-trade protection in his new deal, Thomas will likely feature prominently in the Nets’ plans this season. The question now is whether this will be his final year in Brooklyn or the beginning of a longer partnership.
