Kevin Durant pleads with NBA team to “build around” Cam Thomas amid uncertainty in Brooklyn

ByNBAUSA


After unsuccessful negotiations on the contract with Brooklyn Nets last summer, Cam Thomas is looking for a long-term NBA home. The 24-year-old is headed for unrestricted free agency and faces an uncertain future with the Brooklyn Nets.

Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant wanted an NBA team to build around his polarized former teammate.

“I feel like Cam has a bright, bright future. It just takes someone to believe in his talent and his skill,” Durant said Thursday after Houston’s 120-96 win over Brooklyn. “Scorers and guys who score the basketball at a high rate are kind of taken for granted in this league. We’re so used to loving defenders and playmakers and guys who can be connectors. Sometimes shooters are taken for granted. So hopefully somebody takes a chance on Cam and gives him what he deserves and puts the ball in his hands and lets him grow into him, and lets him grow around him. He’s had a lot of time in the league to continue to get better, hopefully the team gives him places little trust.

While a talented shooter, Thomas had little market in trade or free agency so far in his career. This is primarily due to his limitations as a defender, passer and jumper.

Kevin Durant shares his opinion on Cam Thomas’ future in the NBA

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) guards Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (24) during the first half at Barclays Center.
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

However, Durant believes the Nets’ instability has held Thomas back since the young guard broke the rotation during his third season (2023-24).

“Playing with more experienced, veteran players (that’s the next step for Cam). I think the change on the roster since I left and Kyrie left was, you know, a change,” Durant continued. “Every year you can have four, five new two-way players, rookies, free agency guys. There’s no continuity. I think Jordi being here for a second year helps. I think continuity is key. You have a different coach, a different set of players, and you drafted five new players this year. Put them in every rotation, especially put them in the rotation, so it’s been in the group for a while. I feel like he has a new, young group every year.

“Coaches, head coaches, assistant coaches, they’re all trying to figure out the best way to play, and I think Cam’s stuck in that right now. He’s the biggest name, he’s scoring the most goals, so he’s going to take all the blame for everything. But once you dig deep into what this team is trying to do and this team is trying to do and you see some great talent trying to do, you see some great talent trying to do. figure it out, so Cam is one of those guys.

Thomas averaged 22.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.0 turnovers per game on .441/.359/.865 shooting in 102 appearances over the past three seasons. Although he has shown elite flashes in scoring, he consistently ranks at the bottom of the league in potential assists and defensive rating.

Before the season, ClutchPoints asked Thomas if he would adjust his style of play to secure a long-term contract.

“No. Just keep doing what I’m doing,” he replied.

Thomas remained true to his word. He has the second-lowest assist-to-usage ratio (0.53) among the 54 guards who have posted a usage rate above 22 percent this season, according to CleaningTheGlass. His defensive rating of +8.7 is the worst on the Nets and seventh-worst among the 84 guards who have played over 250 minutes.

Nets coach Jordi Fernandez has consistently called for improvement from Thomas in those areas. He continued to do so after the fifth-year guard scored 21 points with one assist and four turnovers in Thursday’s loss to Houston.

“Good scoring punch with the minutes he’s playing…Obviously, his superpower is his scoring. But again, I need better defense, I need better playmaking,” Fernandez said of Thomas’ performance.

The loss marked Thomas’ third game back after a two-month layoff with a hamstring injury. He injured the same hamstring three times last season, limiting him to just 25 games.

With Thomas’ uncertain future and the Nets’ improvement after his latest injury, it was unclear whether he would be reinserted into the rotation once he was healthy. They did that on the bench in the last three games.

Thomas came off the bench Thursday despite three starters — Michael Porter Jr., Egor Demin and Terrance Mann — missing the game. When asked if he was frustrated with his role during the short-lived loss, Thomas had little to say.

“No comment,” he replied with a smile.

Given the Nets’ strategy of signing significant first-pass players in this year’s class, it’s not surprising that they declined to extend a substantial, long-term contract to Thomas. Brooklyn’s highest offer for the guard was a two-year, $30 million contract with a team option.

After the draft, Sean Marks was transparent about the attributes Brooklyn’s front office is looking for in a player.

“It’s 0.5 (seconds) of basketball, you catch and make a decision, you don’t hold the ball … The NBA is going there: guys who can play multiple positions, guard multiple positions and make it difficult to defend,” the GM said.

The rest of the NBA has adopted a similar thought process, limiting the market for first-goal point guards like Thomas last summer. The Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz had to commit funds to move Anfernee Simmons and Collin Sexton, respectively. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat only had to give up Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson to acquire Norman Powell.

With Thomas slated for free agency and the Nets trying to find minutes for five starters, a midseason trade could be on the horizon. Given Thomas’ no-trade clause, Brooklyn would have to work with his representative to find a new home.

It remains to be seen if another team shares Durant’s enthusiasm for Thomas’ skill set and offers the young guard a starring role.





2026-01-02 20:26:00

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