The Brooklyn Nets have reportedly decided to waive guard Cam Thomas following the NBA trade deadline, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania. This move allows the 24-year-old scoring guard to enter free agency and seek a fresh start elsewhere, ending his entire NBA tenure with Brooklyn since being drafted in the first round in 2021 out of LSU.
Nets Waiving Thomas Opens Playing Time for Rookies and Emerging Guard Talent
Thomas’ role with the Nets had steadily diminished under head coach Jordi Fernandez. This season, he averaged 15.6 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.9 rebounds while shooting 39.9% from the field. He started only eight games and logged 24.3 minutes per contest. Last season, he appeared in just 25 games due to a hamstring injury, and his best campaign came in his third year when he averaged 22.5 points per game, demonstrating his ability as a dynamic scoring option off the bench.
Cam Thomas (NBA)By waiving Thomas, the Nets are creating opportunities for their younger guards, particularly rookies from the 2025 NBA Draft. Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Ben Saraf, and Drake Powell stand to see increased playing time. Demin leads this group, averaging 10.5 points, 3.3 assists, and 3.1 rebounds. Traore has contributed 6 points, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 rebounds per game, while Saraf averages 4.6 points and 2.6 assists, and Powell adds 6.1 points with 1.6 rebounds.
Nets Gain Roster Flexibility to Develop Young Talent and Integrate Recent Acquisitions
The roster adjustment also provides flexibility after the Nets’ recent acquisitions, including Josh Minott from the Celtics, Hunter Tyson from the Nuggets, and Ochai Agbaji from the Raptors. Michael Porter Jr. remained with the team despite trade rumors, solidifying the Nets’ plan to blend young talent with recent additions.
At 13-36, the Nets are focused on rebuilding and giving younger players meaningful minutes. Waiving Thomas not only frees a roster spot but also signals the franchise’s commitment to developing its draft picks and reshaping the team for the future.
This strategic move positions the Nets to integrate new talent while giving their emerging guards a chance to showcase their potential in a rebuilding environment.
