CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Just because Cam Thomas is the Nets’ leading returning scorer doesn’t mean he’ll return.
Thomas is entering a walk year and will become an unrestricted free agent next summer after failing to reach a long-term extension in Brooklyn.
But on the eve of the season — with the Nets opening at Charlotte on Wednesday — Thomas insists he’s not worried about his contract, saying it’s not hard to keep his focus on the court.
“No, it’s easy. I’m not really worried about that. It will work itself out,” Thomas said. “The main goal is just being on the court and playing, being out there. I love hooping, I love playing, so that’s really the main thing I’m trying to do this year. Whatever happens, happens. I’ll let that take care of itself.”
Thomas led the Nets in scoring last season but was limited to just 25 games due to hamstring injuries.
He came back to camp slimmed down, but claimed it had nothing to do with injury prevention but was purely cosmetic.
“No, it felt the same, it’s just more the look. I really didn’t feel any different,” Thomas said. “Obviously, if you lose some weight, you get a little bit faster. Last year I felt like I was kind of fast, but I feel like this year I’m faster in a way. But no, I didn’t really feel any different. I felt good, just ready to go.”
Thomas struggled by his standards in the preseason, averaging just 13.3 points and shooting 39 percent overall and 15.4 percent from deep.
But Brooklyn has finally finished installing sets for both Thomas and Michael Porter Jr., and coach Jordi Fernández is expressing confidence in its two top offensive threats.
“We’re doing what the team needs at the moment, and obviously when you’re at the start of the season there’s only so much you can do, and it’s my job to decide what that process looks like,” Fernández said. “I’m pretty sure I did that the other day [Porter] took 20 shots and 10 3s, so I think it works really well for him.
“Same with CT, he had six assists and two turnovers. He didn’t shoot that well, but I want him to be aggressive because I know he’s going in. So I don’t care how many plays or sets I have for each of them. They’re doing really well and they’ll have a big impact seeing the floor on both ends and putting in the effort defensively, I’m very, very pleased.”
After being plagued by injuries last season, the Nets enter Wednesday’s opener healthy with everyone available against the Hornets except Haywood Highsmith (knee).
#Nets #Cam #Thomas #insists #hes #concerned #contract #situation