Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas still remains unsigned despite the fact that the Nets have reportedly offered him a two-year contract for the Non-taxpayer Mid-level Exception (NTMLE) or around $14.1 million per season. Brooklyn and Thomas have not been having productive negotiations as of this writing and a former NBA player gave his take on the entire situation.
“It’s always been that role. That’s why this is no shade when I’m saying this. But, when you get put in that mode, in that role, you always get underpaid,” former NBA guard Jeff Teague said on his “Club 520” podcast. Teague was referring to the fact that part of the reason Thomas is having a hard time getting paid what he wants this offseason is due to teams believing that he is just a scorer and not much else, similar to former NBA guard Lou Williams.
“Even like Jordan Clarkson and them, they’re getting paid. But, 14, 15, 16 million, that’s about your range. It ain’t far off. The Nets ain’t disrespect him really,” Teague continued. “But, for him, maybe he signs the qualifying offer ($5.99 million), he goes out there and he kills. For me, I’m signing that deal. Give me a player option, whatever it is, and I’m going out and I’ll outplay it because you always want to solidify that first one.”
Essentially, Teague admits that the situation Thomas finds himself in is not conducive to him getting paid what his production over the past couple of seasons should earn him in negotiations. Over the last two seasons, Thomas is tied with Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard for 24th in the league in points per game with 24.9, putting the former LSU Tiger amongst some of the better scorers in the NBA.
During the 2024-25 season, Thomas had the best year of his four-year career as he averaged 24.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 43.8% from the field and 34.9% from three-point land. Unfortunately for Thomas, he came into the offseason as a restricted free-agent, meaning that the Nets have the right to match any offer made by another team for his services. Between the Nets’ $14.1 million per year offer and the QO, Thomas has some tough decisions to make.