The Brooklyn Nets rebuild was inevitable, and now it’s here. With the team sending Mikal Bridges across the bridge to the New York Knicks via trade, the rebuild is official. With that, there are plenty of opportunities for young players to grow and build a potential career in the league.
Cam Thomas, who has been with the Nets since 2021, will have the opportunity to step up and grow as a player. While his time per game saw an increase last season, there will be more chances to get caught this season.
However, one aspect of the game where Thomas will be able to improve the most is leadership within the franchise. He hinted at this idea a month ago in an interview with Clutch points.
“I just want to be a leader. I’m really focused on that and starting early with that,” Thomas said of his next step as a player. “I did it towards the second half of last year because it’s something I wanted to try as the year went on. I’m going to try to start this year focusing on that because, honestly, I’m [a leader]I think I’m the second oldest player on the team, so I’m one of the leaders of the team. So I really try to focus on that.
Thomas has a chance to earn a more consistent spot in the rotation, having averaged 22.5 points per game while playing 31.4 minutes per game, both highs in his three years as a pro.
With Jordi Fernandez as head coach, Thomas is a player who has a deep knowledge of the franchise and can help shape Brooklyn’s culture. How he develops as a personality within the roster is just as crucial as Fernandez’s blossoming into a more consistent role.
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