NBA Rumors: The Nets make their best trade asset after being linked to two stars

The Brooklyn Nets are still in the early stages of their rebuild and it appears that no one on the roster is safe. Reportedly (subscription required), not even a 23-year-old high-scoring guard Cam Thomas, who is having a career year averaging 24.6 points per game. Thomas is in his fourth season with the Nets and despite him exceeding expectations after being taken 27th overall in 2021, he and the Nets failed to reach an extension last month.

Normally, when that happens, it calls into question that player's future with their team. In fact, the Nets are reportedly open to moving on from him if the right deal were to come along. Given that he is only making $4 million this season, he would make for an easy player for a team to acquire, assuming that they have at least a first-round pick to offer.

NBA Rumors: The Nets make Cam Thomas available after being linked to two stars

Since he will hit restricted free agency next summer, he could get an expensive offer sheet that could pay him around $25 million a season. The Nets probably aren't interested in paying him anywhere near that amount, which is why they failed to agree to a deal.

Instead, looking to trade him makes sense. Especially if it allows them to add to their increasing draft pick stockpile, which they can use to pursue a star. Or, they could even include Thomas in a larger deal for a star such as Giannis Antokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks if he becomes available during the season.

The odds of that happening during the season are relatively low, but if it does, then the Nets would be able to package players such as Ben Simmons, Thomas, and five first-round picks to try to entice the Bucks to trade one of the five best players in the league to them.

Are the Brooklyn Nets wise to put Cam Thomas on the trade block?

Given that the Nets have only just recently started their rebuild, it would be an odd choice but not entirely unpredictable. After all, the Nets tried to build around Mikal Bridges even when it became clear that that was unlikely to work.

They ultimately traded him to the New York Knicks for five firsts and appear to be trying to bottom out to land the number one pick in the 2025 NBA draft. However, trading for Giannis or another star would effectively end that plan.

Keeping their options open allows them to follow multiple paths back to contention. If a larger deal doesn't materialize, then they could trade Thomas for a pick or two and continue to try and land a high pick in next year's draft.

If a star such as Jimmy Butler (who has been linked to the Nets) wants to sign with the Nets and if Giannis demands to be traded next summer, then the Nets will still be well-positioned to add him. All in all, the Nets have multiple paths that they can take to get back into contention but it seems that Thomas won't be a part of the future plans.