The Brooklyn Nets, after a resurgent run in December, have hit a fresh obstacle with guard Cam Thomas sidelined due to injury as trade speculation swirls around his future with the franchise.
Nets' Rollercoaster Season Hits Another Bump
The Nets' form saw a dramatic turnaround last month. After managing just three wins combined in October and November, the team caught fire in December, securing seven victories. This included winning three of their final five games of 2025, marking them as one of the league's hottest teams.
However, momentum has stalled. The team underperformed against the Golden State Warriors and suffered a heavy 120-96 defeat to the Houston Rockets on Thursday. Their inability to contain players like Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, and Alperen Sengun, especially in the third quarter, led to the loss.
Cam Thomas Ruled Out for Wizards Game
Ahead of Friday's game against the Washington Wizards, the Nets announced that key scorer Cam Thomas will not play. The decision is for injury maintenance as it is the second game of a back-to-back set. Thomas, who recently returned from a nearly two-month absence due to a left hamstring issue, played 23 minutes against Houston.
In that game, he contributed 21 points, one rebound, and one assist coming off the bench. With Thomas out, head coach will need to adjust the rotation. Players like Terance Mann and Ziaire Williams are expected to see increased minutes, alongside Drake Powell and Tyrese Martin. Williams, returning to the rotation, had 14 points and five steals against the Rockets.
Contract Standoff Fuels Intense Trade Rumours
Beyond the immediate injury concern, Thomas's long-term future with the Nets is in serious doubt. A major contract dispute is at the heart of the issue. Reports indicate Thomas rejected multiple extension offers from the Nets, including:
- A two-year, $30 million deal with a team option for the second season.
- A one-year, $9.5 million contract with incentives potentially raising it to $11 million.
Seeking a deal worth over $20-25 million per year, Thomas instead accepted a $6 million one-year qualifying offer for the 2025-26 season. This move was an attempt to re-enter the free agent market in 2026. Despite starting the season in the first five, his hamstring injury caused him to miss 20 games. Since returning, he has been effective off the bench, averaging 21.3 points per game in just 20 minutes over three games.
According to Brian Lewis of the New York Post, the Nets are expected to gauge the trade market for Thomas. However, multiple league sources suggest there is currently little to no market interest in acquiring the guard, complicating the situation further for the Brooklyn front office.
As the Nets look to heal from their Rockets loss and correct their mistakes, they must do so without Cam Thomas, whose presence on the court is now matched by the uncertainty of his tenure with the team.
