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The Brooklyn Nets may have started the season 0-7, but there seem to be few remnants of that cold beginning. The team has been looking sharp all December long, actually leading the NBA in defensive rating over the past four weeks.
They have been able to stifle teams on that side of the ball, giving an effort that was evading the squad when the year first got started.
Michael Porter Jr. has been knocking shots down from everywhere. Nic Claxton has looked good at the center spot, while all of the rookies have come to play.
The best news yet for this team, is Cam Thomas is set to return. Out since November 5, the guard is set to return against the Timberwolves on Saturday night.
Mike Scotto broke the news on Friday morning that Jordi Fernandez expects his star to finally cone back.
Expectations for Cam Thomas in Return
The Brooklyn Nets will receive a major lift the very second that Cam Thomas takes the floor for them. Averaging 20+ points for a third straight season, he has provided instant offense whenever he has been on the court.
His absence allowed Michael Porter Jr to really thrive as the de facto top option, but now the two of them can form the 1-2 scoring punch that this team has been looking for. Thomas will also be able to provide some ball handling relief to the young guards.
Having won 6-4 in their past 10 games and winners of two straight, Brooklyn has not had any issues of late without their sharpshooting guard. His return does make them quite the formidable team, and they will be a tough team for others to beat.
Fresh off a victory over the 76ers a new nights ago, a three-game stretch with the Timberwolves, Warriors, and Rockets will do a lot to tell folks where the team really stands.
Cam Thomas should be expected to come in and become the number two scoring option right from the get-go. He will get plenty of looks both in iso ball, and within the flow of the offense.
Will Cam Thomas Stick with Brooklyn All Season?
With Cam Thomas’ return finally here, the questions may quickly shift to how long he will be staying in Brooklyn. Looking for something of a long-term deal, the team opted to sign the LSU product to a qualifying offer worth $6 million for the season.
The biggest reason for a deal happening would be if the team believes that he isn’t part of the long-term plans. Seemingly, the interest in the high-scoring guard has been relatively low.
Recent trade made by the Nets have left them with plenty of assets. Trading Mikal Bridges to New York netted them five first-round draft picks. Another few second-rounders came in in exchange for Jae Crowder.
Whatever direction this team chooses to go, they should be fine in the next few seasons. Cam Thomas could stay and become a big scorer, if that is what he chooses.
If they opt not to make a deal and lets him walk, somebody is getting their sixth man of the future, hot off the presses.
Zach Weiss Zach Weiss is a sports reporter covering the NBA for Heavy. He also hosts a podcast about the Cleveland Cavaliers, “Across the Cavs,” and serves as a sports broadcaster for various institutions in the Greater NYC Area. He wrote for Knup Sports for six years. More about Zach Weiss
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