Extending Thomas NOW: how much?

[ecuhus1981]

I think that, since we've chosen to play through Cam Thomas as our #1 option, it behooves our front office to extend him. His cap hold next summer is only $12mil, he's going to make more than that, so the rationale has been to wait can keep our 2025 capspace open.

However, we already have more capspace than anyone next summer. We should have around $70mil, enough for a maximum salary slot with room to spare. We could extend Cam now, and still get anyone we want next summer, among the few elite FA's still available.

Also, it's a sign of good faith towards the player we're giving the keys to the offense. And if we want to trade him next summer, it's much easier under contract than visa sign-and-trade.

The big question is: what number is Cam Thomas worth? What would he accept? Is the gulf between those numbers too great to reach an agreement?

Some say he should want to play out this string, get up a million shots and hit the open market as a restricted free agent next summer. He could, but it's a risk. Teams around the league don't put a premium on his high usage, low efficiency style of play, especially since he hasn't shown much playmaking or defense to supplement his ballhog tendencies. And as I mentioned, no one had more capspace than us, so who is he looking for to outbid us? Maybe he really REALLY pushed the envelope, takes a qualifying offer next summer and becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2026, but I think he would pigeonhole himself into a mercenary role by doing so.

All that said, what do YOU think we should do? Is there a number where you would feel uncomfortable with us signing him? Would you expect a Collin Sexton type of deal, 4yrs, $72mil? Or more like Jordan Poole, at 4yrs, $128mil?

[ecuhus1981]

I'll go first, and say that I think we should make a good faith offer.

Tell Cam we believe in him, and we'll put our money where our mouth is with a 4yr, downscaling contract totalling $98mil. $26mil in 2025, then 25mil in 2026, 24mil in 2027, and a player option in 2028 for $23mil.

He may think (perhaps rightly) that he is better than peers like Poole and Herro who commanded more, but I think these players' current trade market shows that they are not worth that kind of investment. Those contracts also came before this new 2nd apron, and moving forward, contracts are just not going to be as generous for guys who aren't already proven All-Stars.

With the security of a long term deal, I have faith that Cam will finally work to improve the weak parts of his game. His speed, strength, length and footwork should yield better than a bottom-2% defender, which is statistically how he performed last season. No joke, he was not just "regular bad", he was putrid, one of the 5 worst defenders in the league. If he can become even the 20th percentile as a defender (still awful, but it would be a marked improvement), it would do wonders for his efficiency and for our ability to build around him.

Then, there's the passing. Sigh. I don't see it, y'all. He just doesn't create better chances for teammates than they could otherwise create for themselves. And it seems like he doesn't want to do so. He didn't realize how much easier he can make the game for everyone, INCLUDING HIMSELF, by finding scoring opportunities for others. For someone who craves touches and usage as much as Cam, that must improve. I can only hope here, he's held the chucker reputation since middle school. I see no evidence that he has evolved into a more well-rounded, heliocentric engine, but it would be awesome if he did.

[Papi_swav]

the minimum. Seriously tho maybe 18-24M per I'll be fine with. Anything more is a no go from me, he's really just a microwave scorer at this point. Jordan Poole messed it up for his type of players

[ecuhus1981]

the minimum. Seriously tho maybe 18-24M per I'll be fine with. Anything more is a no go from me, he's really just a microwave scorer at this point. Jordan Poole messed it up for his type of players

That would be nice, but I don't think he would settle for an AAV that low.

I've heard his camp view him as more of a peer to Maxey and Quickley, which IMO is unrealistic for Cam's future. They want him to be paid like those guys, too, near max if not full max (starting ~$38mil in 2025, around $165 over 4 seasons with max annual raises).

[Stone]

I pretty much agree with Papi. I think that is a more than fair offer. I can't see other teams out there offering more than that. It is a slight overpay but a good faith move. It would very similar to the Claxton contract.

[ecuhus1981]

Will either of you be upset with Sean Marks, if we give Cam Thomas a 4yr, $134mil deal? That's not a max, but it is #1 option type money, which is what Thomas will say he deserves to justify his demands.

I can see things headed here, since we're anointing him the 1st/2nd/3rd scoring option. We've seemingly gone out of our way to put every kind of support player and NO other shot-happy dudes on the roster. We're rolling out the red carpet for CT to put up gaudy numbers, and that approach is going to come to roost in extension talks.

[Stone]

If we agree to 4 - $134 now, yes I would be upset. If we waited it out and Cam shows his game is growing on both ends, it would be a lot easier to digest.

[Decipher]

Hard to say as some players are getting crazy money while others are accepting relatively small amounts and there doesn’t seem to be a lot in between

IF the general impression of Cam is to be believed, 4/134 wouldn’t have too much competition & could be a big overpay

[76ciology]

The Nets should offer Cam Thomas a reasonable contract in the range of $24-29 million annually, similar to deals that players like Terry Rozier and Tyler Herro. If Cam doesn’t accept, the team could allow him to test the market, where it appears that interest in him, at least from fans, has been lukewarm at best.

[TheNetsFan]

Just wait until Restricted Free Agency. We're going to be one of a few teams with a lot of cap next year. There's no reason to limit flexibility to pursue FAs, take on salary dumps for compensation or broker trades.

[vincecarter4pres]

Just wait until Restricted Free Agency. We're going to be one of a few teams with a lot of cap next year. There's no reason to limit flexibility to pursue FAs, take on salary dumps for compensation or broker trades.

Yes this. And also it would be nice to see Cam in this situation and see how he responds, and if he grows as an all around player.

I’ve personally come around on him, though I still have my doubts simply because his style and skillset is that of an uncompromising 1st option, but in that role he severely caps your ceiling, and any other role it limits his impact and possibly causes waves.

Still liken his ceiling to Michael Redd, but it feels a lot more realistic he reaches it.

Redd was a gifted and fun player, but was similar in vein to the aforementioned negatives.

Still you’d really hope to get real value for a player of that ilk in trade and not just let him walk.

Maybe this deadline a golden opportunity will emerge to send him somewhere late lottery(or a playoff team with control of these type of picks from other teams in their cache)for an unprotected, or maybe just top 1-2 protected ‘25 1st and/or future valued pick(s).

[Karate Diop]

If he doesn't develop further is he even worth a massive deal?

I'm actually a Cam fan in that I think he works incredibly hard and takes a grudge out onto the court, but I think I'd use RFA to its fullest extent here.

Even if Cam plays well I don't think the market is going to be robust for him (teams won't want to Jordan Poole themselves) unless he really balls out... And if he really balls out you match.

*I'd also be okay extending him during the season (when's the extension deadline?) if he shows enough growth early on, maybe you only pay a partial premium then....

[ecuhus1981]

If he doesn't develop further is he even worth a massive deal?

I'm actually a Cam fan in that I think he works incredibly hard and takes a grudge out onto the court, but I think I'd use RFA to its fullest extent here.

Even if Cam plays well I don't think the market is going to be robust for him (teams won't want to Jordan Poole themselves) unless he really balls out... And if he really balls out you match.

*I'd also be okay extending him during the season (when's the extension deadline?) if he shows enough growth early on, maybe you only pay a partial premium then....

The deadline for rookie extensions is the day before the start of the season. So, we have until Tuesday, October 22nd. We won't have the opportunity to see how he's progressed, and then extend him midway through the season.

Still, I think it's reasonable to wait, if he's not willing to take a deal under $25mil on average.

[Karate Diop]

If he doesn't develop further is he even worth a massive deal?

I'm actually a Cam fan in that I think he works incredibly hard and takes a grudge out onto the court, but I think I'd use RFA to its fullest extent here.

Even if Cam plays well I don't think the market is going to be robust for him (teams won't want to Jordan Poole themselves) unless he really balls out... And if he really balls out you match.

*I'd also be okay extending him during the season (when's the extension deadline?) if he shows enough growth early on, maybe you only pay a partial premium then....

The deadline for rookie extensions is the day before the start of the season. So, we have until Tuesday, October 22nd. We won't have the opportunity to see how he's progressed, and then extend him midway through the season.

Still, I think it's reasonable to wait, if he's not willing to take a deal under $25mil on average.

Bummer, in that case I agree it's prudent to wait.

[DaddyCool19]

Right now it seems like there aren't that many teams that will have enough cap space in next free agency to offer him a 25M starting salary. If you include team options, next years draft pick and so on, there are maybe only a handful teams Brooklyn included, that could offer him that much.

[Decipher]

Sometimes it’s just luck of the draw

Cunningham signed an extension for 5/224

I’m not sure whether he’s better than Cam and he wasn’t in the same stratosphere as Simmons as a rookie

[Netaman]

Just wait until Restricted Free Agency. We're going to be one of a few teams with a lot of cap next year. There's no reason to limit flexibility to pursue FAs, take on salary dumps for compensation or broker trades.

this. they will have the right to match, if someone else thinks he's worth the max after this year then you will have the chance to keep him. or more likely do some kind of a S&T since there aren't many other teams with open cap.

[ecuhus1981]

Uh oh.

Jalen Green might have just set Cam Thomas' market, 3yrs, $106mil for an average annual value of over $35mil. We might all be underestimating.

[ecuhus1981]

https://sports.yahoo.com/report-rockets-jalen-green-agree-to-3-year-106m-extension-195553336.html

[Decipher]

Cam is better than Green