Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas has an idea of what he needs to focus on this offseason, sitting down with SLAM’s Curtis Rowser III to discuss his mindset as he heads into his fourth season.
“Just doing everything – doing it consistently,” Thomas begins.
“I had the biggest jump in points from my second year to my third year. I was at 22.5 (points per game), so I think trying to get into that 25 (points per game) range, upping the playmaking and just trying to keep improving my all-around game. And hopefully, it leads to wins,” he adds.
Delving more into the improvements he wants to make, Thomas says:
“Last summer, I tried to put more emphasis on catch-and-shoot shooting, and I think I was way up in the league percentage-wise on catch-and-shoot (this past season). So, just continue to work on that and fine-tuning the skills (that) I had coming into the league, like my off-the-dribble stuff and finishing around the basket, (while) still improving on catch-and-shoot, trying to have the best percentage in the league.”
In 2023-24, Thomas averaged career-highs of 22.5 points, 2.9 assists, and 0.7 steals per game. As he alludes to, the Virginia native shot a career-high 43.6 percent on catch-and-shoot threes. With that being said, is it possible that Thomas can average around 25 points per game next season?
Nets’ Cam Thomas Narrows Down Areas Of Improvement
After the 2024 All-Star Break, Thomas played the best ball of his young career.
His numbers were eye-openers, as he averaged 25.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, evidence of him becoming an all-around contributor. Though considered something of a shot-chucker earlier in his career, he was efficient as well, shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from 3.
Numbers aside, Thomas was simply playing better. The scoring-minded guard was more intent on facilitating the ball. He was playing with consistent effort at the defensive end. Though still at his best as a jump shooter, he also became more effective at taking contact and scoring in the paint.
Looking ahead to 2025-25, it’s hard to see him being more efficient off-ball threat than he was last season. However, he may very well convert his 3s at a high clip in catch-and-shoot situations. Again, he notched his career-high in catch-and-shoot 3-point percentage in 2023-24. Yet, he made 40.9 percent of those shots in 2022-23.
Furthermore, as he was stepping up as the offensive leader even before Mikal Bridges was moved, the trade may not have as much of an effect on his role as is assumed. Nonetheless, between his recent success, scoring instincts, and penchant for tough shot-making, there’s little reason to doubt that he can post the numbers he wants.
