Michael Porter Jr. Discusses Cam Thomas’s NBA Struggles
Following Cam Thomas’s release from both Brooklyn and Milwaukee this season, former teammate Michael Porter Jr. weighed in, suggesting that the issue was more about Thomas’s demeanor than his skills.
“There’s a lot that goes into the NBA beyond just scoring,” he reflected. “For Cam, it seems like a mix of frustration and his personality. He doesn’t socialize much. He shows up at the gym occasionally, and during practice, he might say a few words. But that’s about it.”
“I don’t believe he intends to be a bad teammate. It feels more like that’s just who he is. But when a team invests heavily, especially when you’re the top option, there are other factors at play. I’m not sure if he has attempted to shift his personality to connect more with others and step up as a leader. That might’ve been part of the challenge in Brooklyn.”
Porter shared these thoughts on the “Road Trippin’ Show,” discussing various topics, including the pressure of being the team’s primary scorer.
Meanwhile, Thomas has been trying to step into that role, averaging a notable 22.5 points over the last two seasons. Yet, after turning down several contract offers from the Nets—including a two-year deal worth $30 million and a one-year option at $9.5 million—he ultimately accepted a qualifying offer of just under $6 million.
This past season, hampered by injuries, Thomas managed only 15.6 points before being waived by Brooklyn. He briefly found a spot in Milwaukee but was let go again. Although he was proud of his scoring ability, his challenges with defense and self-awareness now leave him without a team.
Porter noted, “I realize he was frustrated with his prior contract and felt that Brooklyn wasn’t compensating him adequately. He thinks he’s as talented as other players, like Austin Reeves or Jaylen Green, who are pulling in big-money deals. That’s understandable. But when he left Brooklyn, I thought he needed to evolve his game in Milwaukee, or else it would be tough for him.”
“Initially, folks in Milwaukee praised him because he had some strong games. Doc Rivers even spoke highly of him. But then he had a rough outing, and I imagine he retreated into his shell. It can come off as an attitude issue, but I think that’s just him. It seemed like things went downhill from there. Still, in terms of talent, he has the potential to be among the best.”
Porter also mentioned that while he could take as many shots as Thomas, he only had a fraction of the ball time. He showed confidence in being a leading scorer but felt the Nets could improve with another playmaker through trades or the draft.
“As the No. 1 option on a championship team? I won’t say I can’t handle responsibility—I believe I can. But I definitely need support. If we can add a creative player who can knock down a couple of open threes each game, I suspect that will really elevate our team.”
