For Cam Thomas, this is a contract year. A huge year.
And he insists he’s not changing who he is as a player. But it’s clearly still in the process of becoming exactly who it’s going to become.
After failing to agree on a long-term extension with the Nets – settling for the one-year qualifying offer that suggested a possible exit from Brooklyn – Thomas has looked like a man on a mission so far this training camp and preseason.
But what exactly will this mission be?
“Cam, he has the ability to be one of those guys, young, still trying to find his way,” former Hall of Famer Vince Carter told the Post. “But this is the big year for him.”
For good reason.
A restricted free agent this summer, Thomas rejected Brooklyn’s two announced offers, a two-year, $30 million contract and a $9.5 million contract with incentives. Ultimately, he accepted the qualifying offer of $5.99 million over one year. This gave him a no-trade clause and, perhaps more importantly, unrestricted freedom of action.
But agency means responsibility. Thomas needs to prove that he can not only score – that was never in doubt – but also stay healthy, defend and be a playmaker.
After hamstring injuries limited Thomas to just 25 games last season, he lost weight this summer and arrived at camp in better shape.
As for guarding and passing, that’s another matter.
While Thomas joins Michael Porter Jr. as the top scorers on the roster, they are just as porous on the other side. Thomas’ lackadaisical defense cost them Friday’s loss, when he completely lost Collin Gillespie for the latter to beat the buzzer at 3 to end the half.
“NBA games are about details. We gave up a 3 at the end of the second quarter. It would have been a 15-point game, and instead it was 12. …Then we gave up another 3 at the end of the third. That’s six points,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said. “I want the guys to be focused not only at the end, but throughout the game.”
When it came to his game, Thomas looked more focused and mature. The fact that he will enter Sunday’s game against Phoenix in Macau, China averaging five assists is notable.
Averaging just 1.8 for his career a year ago, his 3.8 last season showed growth. And his 5.8 rating in March was impressive, giving him a career-high ten in his final game in Chicago.
After giving away six on Friday against the Suns, does he expect to be more of a playmaker this season?
“No, I’m just playing my game,” Thomas said. “Teams are going to double-team me, so that’s going to lead to assists. When guys make shots, it’s going to lead to assists. So I’m just going to play my game, and if that requires assists, then great.
“But I’m still a scorer at heart. It also adds that aspect of the game, being able to make the right play and keep the defense. [honest]. So I’m just going to read the game. In some games there may be a lot of assists, and most of the time there will be a lot of points. It’s just about reading the game and taking what the defense gives me.
But Thomas discovers how to use his gravity to create looks for others. This will be a valuable lesson for the Nets and their young guard.
“Yeah, Jordi and I always talk about it, we always talk about it,” Thomas said. “Jordi also understands very well who I am as a player. He knows that I am a goalscorer and he knows how I play.
“But it’s also the line between being aggressive, getting your own shot and then giving guys other shots. We always have that dialogue, and it’s great. So this year we have a better understanding. He understands me better and I understand what he wants better. So that’s going to lead to big things for us as a unit. So it’s definitely an upward trend.”
