After a summer of stalled negotiations and swirling speculation, Cam Thomas has made his decision. He’s staying in Brooklyn, but on his own terms. The 23-year-old guard has officially signed a one-year, $5.99 million qualifying offer with the Nets, setting the stage for a pivotal season and unrestricted free agency in 2026.
Thomas, who averaged 24.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists last season, entered restricted free agency seeking a long-term deal in the $30–40 million per year range. The Nets, however, reportedly offered a two-year, $28 million deal with a team option on the second year… far below Thomas’s expectations.
Rather than settle, Thomas chose to bet on himself. By accepting the qualifying offer, he retains full control of his future next summer, when he’ll hit the market as an unrestricted free agent.
The Nets now retain one of their most dynamic scorers for another season at a bargain price. Thomas will join a retooled roster that includes Michael Porter Jr. and Terrance Mann, offering Brooklyn a potent offensive trio amid a rebuilding phase.
However, the short-term nature of the deal means the Nets risk losing Thomas for nothing next summer unless they trade him before the deadline or reach a new agreement. It also signals that Thomas may not be part of the franchise’s long-term plans, a sentiment echoed by insiders who note Brooklyn’s recent guard-heavy draft strategy.
For Thomas, the 2025–26 season is a high-stakes audition. If he continues to produce at an elite level, he could command a massive payday next summer from a team with cap space and a need for scoring. If not, he risks entering a crowded market with limited leverage.
Either way, the message is clear: Cam Thomas believes in his value, and he’s willing to prove it.
