Missing most of the season, Cam Thomas is looking for a strong stretch run.
It was a fluke to show his injury. To demonstrate that he can coexist defensively with Dangelo Russell. Finished the contract year heading to a free agency.
And more than anything, to win.
“I'm just finishing strong,” Thomas told the Post and Yes Network before losing Thursday to Golden State 121-119. “I mean, it's just a name. I just want to finish strong just to finish strong. I'm not really worried. [my] The year of contract or something. I mean, I think that all of that takes care of itself. ”
Despite the loss, Thomas had a big night in the net, finishing with 23 points, seven assists and three rebounds in 26 minutes.
“At this point, I'm not really worried about it,” Thomas said. “I just want to finish strong for the team, and everywhere [free agency] Take us, it takes us. But I'm not really worried about finishing hard for that aspect. We just want to win the game here and create something, so we just want to finish strong. So that's really everything that's there for me. ”
It is likely that he will take you to a limited free agency, but the net holds most of the cards.
There aren't many teams that can realistically bid for Thomas. Brooklyn GM Sean Marks is unlikely to bid on himself.
“For now, it appears that the net has more leverage,” Cap expert Yossi Goslan told the post. “I think getting a big deal elsewhere at Cam Thomas will involve sign-and-trade because of his limited position. I think he's looking at the annual Colin Sexton type salary adjusted for inflation.”
Thomas' market could range from $20 million to $22 million a year, sources told the Post.
A strong stretch run won't change that clearly, but it certainly won't hurt.
“for [Thomas]for a while, I've only seen him being a contract year and he's injured – the first time he's been here that he's really hurt – so I see him go through it and go back to the floor and get back there, and what he brings to the team is one of the best scorers in the league.” “So, that speaks for itself.”
Thursday marked Thomas' third appearance after returning from a hamstring injury that sidelined him in 24 straight games.
Entering the Warriors tilt, he had played just four times since November 25th.
Thomas took part in the game leading the net with a score of 24.2 points.
Warrior. Robert Sabo of the New York Post
He averaged 27.3 in his previous three games against the Warriors. This includes falling off the floor when he was injured in Golden State on November 25th.
However, he missed 40 games this season as well.
The net allows him to be a restricted free agent by bidding on a qualifying offer.
If he reaches the starter standard, that would be $8,741,210.
If he doesn't, the qualifying offer would be just $5,993,172.
The latter scenario is unlikely, but the injury occurred at an inappropriate time. Especially during the summer, even if it's very little money.
Brooklyn is set to have $60 million in cap space.
The piston is second at just $25 million.
Utah managed to clear $30 million, but it's only in an unlikely event that John Collins would opt out in a year when no one had the money to pay him.
Chicago, Memphis, Houston, San Antonio and Atlanta may have a small cap space, but it's far more likely that everything will only be mid-level non-tax exemptions.
In short, Thomas' options are limited.
“CT is a weapon. Everyone has to pay attention. … [His shot] I'm going to come. I don't care about that. Coach Jordi Fernandez said. “Defensively, that's the next step. Can he be better off following the challenges and game plan with him defending the 3? So now I'm happy to be back in the second game.”
Thursday marked third. Thomas is looking for a strong fourth, fifth and more for a strong finish.
Noah Crowney returned from an ankle injury and received his first 5-for-5 training.
Tyson Etienne was active after being called from G League Long Island, and passed the first two-way, but DNP. Etienne was born in Manhattan and grew up in Bergen County, New Jersey.
