Cam Thomas isn’t just deciding between two contract figures, he’s weighing legacy, leverage, and long-term belief in his own star power.
The 23-year-old Brooklyn Nets guard, fresh off a breakout season averaging 24.0 points per game, is reportedly torn between signing a two-year, $28 million deal with a team option or accepting his $5.99 million qualifying offer to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Brooklyn’s offer, roughly $14 million annually, comes with a team option in year two, making it a flexible, tradable contract for the franchise. For Thomas, it’s guaranteed money and short-term security. But it’s also a ceiling.
The qualifying offer, on the other hand, is a one-year bet. It gives Thomas full control next summer, but leaves him exposed to injury, role reduction, or market volatility. He’d be sacrificing $8 million this season alone.
“If any restricted free agent would play for the qualifying offer, it would be Thomas,” said NBA insider Jake Fischer, citing the guard’s confidence and desire for a bigger payday.
Thomas reportedly wants a deal in the $30–40 million per year range, comparable to players like Tyler Herro and Jordan Poole. But league executives surveyed by The Athletic pegged his value closer to $20–30 million annually, and only on short-term deals.
With no major offers from other teams and Brooklyn holding all the leverage, Thomas is stuck in a classic restricted free agency squeeze.
The Nets are rebuilding around Michael Porter Jr. and Terrance Mann, and they need scoring. Thomas, a proven bucket-getter, fits that mold. But if he signs the qualifying offer, he could find himself marginalized, especially if Brooklyn prioritizes developing long-term assets.
The deadline to accept the qualifying offer is October 1. Until then, both sides can posture, negotiate, and wait. A compromise, perhaps a player option or partial guarantee, could emerge. But if not, Thomas may become the rare player willing to bet big on himself.
