The relationship between Cam Thomas and the Brooklyn Nets has deteriorated this summer.
Over the past four seasons, Cam Thomas has shown consistent growth at Brooklyn Net. He received the best campaign of his career last season.
The 23-year-old has played just 25 games throughout the season, but averaged 24.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.
Fast forward to ever, Thomas is a restricted free agent hoping to win a massive contract extension. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to see him as a potential superstar.
Thomas recently called on NBA analyst Zack Lowe, and made the headline when he called on NBA analyst Zack Lowe after the latter hit him with the “Ball Hog” tag.
Another report alleged that Nets offered Thomas a two-year $14 million offer. Unfortunately, it’s off Thomas’s annual asking price of around $30 million.
Now former NBA All-Star Jeff Teague shared two cents in the Thomas Nets stalemate in the example of former NBA veterinarian Jamal Crawford.
“Too many straight score specialists are not paid, and you rarely see them unless you’re a superstar,” Teague said on the Club 520 podcast. “We’re thinking about it. Jamal Crawford, who was a great player, was paid when he was a starter.”
Teague added: “When he became the sixth man this year, he probably got the most of the time, either $14 or $15 million.
For context, Crawford enjoyed 20 years of stints in the NBA, averaging 14.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 3.4 games of assist.
Like Thomas, Crawford’s biggest strength was his scoring ability. So it makes sense that Teague compared him to Cam.
Based on Teague’s example, Thomas should still make around $15 million a year with his new deal. Unfortunately, less than half of Nets’ reported offers were.
With that in mind, is it safe to say that the net has disrespected Thomas? Teague doesn’t seem to think so.
“They don’t underestimate him. Really. He sees it as ‘I could be a superstar,'” Teague continued.
“They haven’t seen it in him. They’re still looking for a guy. If they thought they were him, they would have paid him,” he concluded.
In conclusion, I feel that the most optimal solution to resolve this deadlock is to allow Thomas to leave this summer.
But the fiery question is whether NBA teams will offer a $30 million annual asking price? Only time can be seen.