The Brooklyn Nets are just at the exordium of their rebuild.
The trade market was kind to them last offseason, allowing them to stockpile first-round picks while moving a player that wasn’t able to maintain the role they had envisioned for him. On the heels of that decision was an expectation that Cam Thomas would take over as the No. 1 scoring option. A late first-round pick in 2021, Thomas was coming off of a career season, averaging 22.5 points per game.
Nets’ Sean Marks Opens Up About Re-Signing Draft Picks
As it so often happens for teams that are already down on their luck, Thomas then sustained an injury. Ultimately, he was sidelined for 57 games in 2024-25. With that in mind, Thomas is set to become a free agent this summer.
This was an avoidable outcome, as he had been offered a contract extension prior to the season. Nevertheless, instead of heading into negotiations after a career year, he’ll head to the bargaining table after a truncated campaign. Perhaps fortunately for him, Nets general manager Sean Marks sounds as if he wants to re-sign Thomas.
Draft classmate Day’Ron Sharpe, too.
“It’s always great when you are able to draft somebody like those two specifically,” per New York Post reporter Brian Lewis, “and then they get this opportunity to [decide]: Are they going to sign their second contract with us?”
“So, I look forward to the summer, and look forward to those conversations with their agents, and we’ll see where it all plays out. But I do think it’s important to be able to keep your homegrown talent.”
Cam Thomas
In 2024-25, Thomas averaged 24.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.6 steals per game on .438-.349-.881 shooting splits.
The LSU product’s scoring prowess was repeatedly praised by Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez, who called it Thomas’s “superpower.” Even so, his untimely injury could lead to him getting a less lucrative deal than he might have had otherwise. At 23 years old, Thomas’s next contract could be his biggest though. Consequently, staying with a team that’s leaning on him offensively isn’t a bad idea.
Over the past two seasons, Thomas has averaged 22.9 points per game on .441-.359-.864 shooting splits. At this point of his career, he needs to start syncretizing his scoring instincts with seasoned decision-making. Though he’s put more of an emphasis on contributing in areas outside of getting the ball in the basket, he also needs to keep working on his playmaking and on-ball defense.
Day’Ron Sharpe
In 2024-25, Sharpe averaged 7.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.8 blocks in 18.1 minutes per game; all career-highs. He had his best month in February, with averages of 10.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 0.8 steals in 18.6 minutes per game. That month, Sharpe also managed to shoot 5-7 from 3 despite being a career 29.5 percent 3-point shooter.
A relentless rebounder at 6-foot-11 and 265 pounds, the 23-year-old is a solid backup center. Playing behind the ultra-lean Nic Claxton, he not only can provide Brooklyn with depth but a complement to their franchise cornerstone. Speaking on his impending free agency, Sharpe says: “I’m new to this so whatever happens, happens. But I like Brooklyn, so God willing, [I’ll be back].”
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