The Brooklyn Nets and Cam Thomas are locked in a contract standoff — and it’s quickly becoming a distraction for the organization. On one side, Thomas believes he’s worth $30 million per year. Pointing to his scoring ability and flashes of offensive brilliance. On the other side, the Nets see a talented but flawed guard who hasn’t proven he can be a franchise cornerstone.
The truth is simple: both sides have rights. Cam has the right to ask for what he thinks he’s worth. The Nets have the right to deny him. That’s business — no different than walking into a job interview expecting one salary and finding out the company is paying much less. At that point, the applicant can either accept the offer or walk away.
The $10 Million Gap
Reports suggest the Nets and Thomas are over $10 million apart in negotiations. That’s not just a small bump in talks — that’s a gulf. Brooklyn reportedly offered around $14 million annually, while Thomas is holding out for something in the $30 million range.
If the market truly viewed Thomas as a $30M player, another franchise would’ve already cleared cap space and lined up an offer sheet.
Why the Qualifying Offer Makes Sense
Instead of dragging the situation out, Thomas should sign the $5.99 million qualifying offer for this season and bet on himself. Doing so would make him an unrestricted free agent in 2026, free to test his true market value without restrictions.
This route sends a stronger message than holding out. It says:
- “I believe in my game enough to prove it for a year.”
- “I’ll take the short-term hit because I know I’ll cash in later.”
Right now, by pushing for money the Nets clearly don’t believe he’s worth, Thomas risks looking like he’s trying to “grab what he can and run.”