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As previously reported three days ago, the Bucks have discussed improving around the margins with several of their own veteran minimum players in differing trade talks to acquire higher-paid players who fit under their room below the luxury tax, league sources told HoopsHype. The goal of those upgrades would be to either take a chance on a player with potential upside or acquire draft capital for helping a team shed salary. With that in mind, Cam Thomas and D’Angelo Russell are both on Milwaukee’s radar contingent on other deals the Bucks are working on, league sources told HoopsHype.
Kellan Olson: The Nets will be without Noah Clowney (back soreness) and Haywood Highsmith (right knee surgery). Tyrese Martin (left knee soreness) is questionable. Cam Thomas (left ankle sprain) and Nolan Traore (illness) are probable.
Law Murray: The Brooklyn Nets report that PF Noah Clowney (back) is doubtful and backup SG Cam Thomas (ankle) is out. Rookie PG Nolan Traore (illness) also out, so fellow rookie Ben Saraf will be available for tomorrow at LA Clippers Two-way contract EJ Liddell will also be available.
But eyes should be on Cam Thomas, with every sign pointing toward his time running out in Brooklyn. He’s lost his starting job, seen his playing time reduced, and neither situation seems about to change. After their failed contract negotiations this past summer, forget the honeymoon being over. Every sign is pointing toward divorce. Brad & Angelina. Prince Charles & Lady Di. Now Thomas & the Nets? Most league observers that spoke with The Post see it as a foregone conclusion, whether at the Feb. 5 trade deadline or in the offseason.
When the Nets didn’t give Thomas a rookie scale extension in the summer of 2024 — a move that surprised no one — he switched agents from Gersh Sports’ Terrence Felder to Octagon’s Alex Saratsis. Now he’s parted with Saratsis, a move first reported by The Consensus. Thomas told The Post he’s being repped by Wasserman Executive VP Thaddeus Foucher.
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Brian Lewis: Michael Porter Jr. is back for the #Nets tonight after sitting the front end of a back-to-back. But Day'Ron Sharpe (illness/throat contusion), Egor Dëmin (left plantar fascia injury management) and Cam Thomas (left hamstring injury management) are all out vs. the #Suns. #NBA
Thomas – who was the Nets’ leading scorer last season, and had been a fixture in the starting lineup – has been a reserve ever since returning from another hamstring injury on Dec. 27. He came off the bench for a tenth straight appearance on Sunday, logging 23:58; and Fernandez said his playing time isn’t about to increase. “Yeah, right now we’re happy where he is, with the minutes he’s playing with the production, being that willing playmaker; because we know how good he is scoring the basketball, and taking those steps defensively,” Fernandez said before the Nets’ 124-102 loss in Chicago. “Right now we’re happy where he is. We need him to stay in those minutes a little longer because I, we, just believe what’s most important right now is his body, and (how) his body reacts. And we’re gonna be cautious with that.”
The Brooklyn Nets have ruled out Egor Demin (left plantar fascia injury management) and Cam Thomas (left hamstring injury management) for Monday’s game against Dallas. Michael Porter (rest) and Drake Powell (left knee injury management) are available.
Underdog NBA: Cam Thomas (injury management) ruled out Friday.
After the game, it sure does look like Thomas' relationship with the team is fraught, as he did whatever he could to not stir even more drama by dodging a question about him coming off the bench. “No comment,” Thomas said when asked whether or not he's frustrated about coming off the bench, via ClutchPoints Nets beat reporter Erik Slater.
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Michael Scotto: Kevin Durant on Cam Thomas: “I feel like Cam has a bright future. It just takes somebody to believe in his talent and his skill. Scorers and guys that score the basketball at a high rate, they get taken for granted in this league a bit. We’re so used to loving defenders, playmakers, and guys that can be connectors. Sometimes scorers get taken for granted. Hopefully, somebody takes a chance on Cam and gives him what he deserves and puts the ball in his hands and builds around him and lets him grow into a player. What is he 24? He’s still got a lot of time in this league to keep getting better. Hopefully a team puts some trust in him.”
Playing his first game since Nov. 5, Cam Thomas had 30 points off the bench on 9-for-15 shooting, including 3-of-8 from deep and a perfect 9-of-9 from the stripe. “Really just [glad] to be back playing, feeling good to be back out there with the guys, making the right play, making the right shots. And we played really well. We got a win out of this. That’s even better for me,” Thomas said. “That’s good just to have everybody connected. Everybody being on the same page locked in, just having no drop-off between the starters and the bench. So that’s a really big thing, having no drop-off right now. So they did a great job on the bench, came in and did a good job. So we want to keep building on that, and we’ll see how that goes from there. But I’m just happy we got the win.”
Nets upset Timberwolves 123-107 behind 30 points from returning Cam Thomas, who made nine of 15 shots. Michael Porter Jr. puts up 27 points, 10 rebounds in the win. Anthony Edwards put up 28 points in the defeat.
Cam Thomas is finally making his Nets return. But he’s coming back to a different Nets team. And he’s going to have to change with it. After nearly eight weeks out with a hamstring strain, Thomas is back practicing and is slated to play Saturday at the Timberwolves. It will be the 24-year-old guard’s first appearance since getting hurt on Nov. 5 at Indiana. “He’s expected to play,” said Nets coach Jordi Fernandez. “No pressure … He’s done a good job getting himself back into shape and healthy. And we just want to see his superpowers out there. So, no pressure for him to have to do too much: Just be yourself and help the team compete and go get a win.”
