Jordi Fernandez opens the Cam Thomas role upon his return amid Brooklyn’s improved play

The Brooklyn Nets have a Cam Thomas a riddle. After an 0-7 start with Thomas in the lineup, the Nets are 6-10 in their last 16 games with the point guard. Their offensive efficiency has been uneven, while their defense has improved by a whopping 12.6 points per 100 possessions.

Without Thomas dominating the ball, the Nets built their offense around Michael Porter Jr.’s off-ball movement. The 6-foot-10 forward played at an All-Star level after Thomas’ injury, averaging 28.2 points on 51/42/83 shooting. Meanwhile, young players like Noah Clowney, Egor Demin, Drake Powell and Danny Wolf have shown promise with additional reps on the ball.

The Nets announced on Saturday that Thomas has started working on the court and his status will be updated in two weeks. But with Thomas’ future uncertain and the team showing increased chemistry in his absence, what will his role be upon his return?

“That’s a good question,” Jordi Fernandez said. “The context is different (now). Before Cam got hurt, obviously his superpower was an ability that he had to achieve. At the same time, we always want to see playmaking efficiency and defensive improvement. So all those things were important at the time. Now that he’s out, the team continues to get better and play in a (good) way… But the skill set, he’s at the same time, he’s very good, at the same time, he’s very good in the group. stairs.

“For the most part, I’m very happy with the whole group. And now when he comes back, it’s going to be up to me to figure out how we get him into the group, and thinking the most important thing is always the group. And from there, it’s (that) you’re willing to do whatever it takes to help the group and obviously improve yourself. That’s how you’re going to succeed.

The Nets’ offense was centered around Thomas before his injury. He reported a 31.5 percent utilization rate18th highest in the NBA, according to CleaningTheGlass.

Will Cam Thomas re-enter the Nets rotation in the coming weeks?

The LSU product continued to produce big, but with below-average efficiency while struggling as a defender and passer. Fernandez’s comments indicate that Thomas is unlikely to return to his usual role once healthy. The question is whether the 24-year-old will have any role in Brooklyn this season.

After not agreeing to a contract extension and signing his qualifying offer, Thomas is unlikely to be a long-term piece for Brooklyn. The former first-round pick will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and has a no-trade clause this season. Given this, the Nets don’t have much incentive to feature him over other players, especially given the team’s recent improvement.

That reality could lead the two sides to work together on trade, like ESPN’s Shams Charania noted in his latest intelligence article.

“Brooklyn could also work with Cam Thomas’ agents in the Octagon to address his future, potentially via trade, as he plays out the rest of the season on a qualifying offer and will be an unrestricted free agent next summer,” Charania wrote.

Brooklyn’s new timeline for Thomas indicates he should be ready to return sometime around Christmas. The 5-year-old will be eligible for a trade on Dec. 15, though he will have to sign any contract.

Whether Thomas will suit up for the Nets again or if the trade will go through will be the main story around the team in the coming weeks.