Cam Thomas and the Nets: A Breakup on the Horizon?
It’s starting to feel like the writing’s on the wall in Brooklyn. Cam Thomas and the Nets appear to be on diverging paths, and while nothing is imminent, the signs are stacking up.
League insiders are increasingly convinced that Thomas won’t be in a Nets uniform much longer. Whether that means a trade before the February 5 deadline or a move in the offseason, the expectation is that a split is coming. Right now, the offseason feels like the more probable window.
Here’s why: Thomas holds some leverage after signing a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer last summer. That gives him the power to veto any trade this season, which complicates things for a front office looking to get value in return. You can’t just ship him anywhere-he has to sign off.
And then there’s the market. It’s lukewarm at best.
Thomas has been battling hamstring issues that have limited his availability over the past year and a half, and when he has been on the floor, he’s struggled to find his rhythm. He’s shooting a career-low 40.5% from the field, and that dip in efficiency has cooled interest around the league.
Even if a deal doesn’t materialize by the deadline, Thomas is set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer. That’s when things could really open up.
He’s already made a move off the court, switching agents from Alex Saratsis at Octagon to Thad Foucher at Wasserman. That kind of change often signals a player preparing for a new chapter-possibly in a new city.
Bucks Shake Things Up to Halt Skid
In Atlanta on Monday, the Bucks finally stopped the bleeding. After dropping three straight, Milwaukee got back in the win column-and while the victory didn’t come with fireworks, it did come with a new look.
Head coach Doc Rivers made a tweak to the starting lineup, swapping out Kevin Porter Jr. for Kyle Kuzma. The immediate impact?
Modest. That unit was outscored by a point in 20 minutes of action.
Rivers himself admitted postgame that the lineup change wasn’t necessarily permanent.
The move was about size, giving the starting five a different physical profile. But the real story might’ve been the bench. Rivers praised the second unit’s performance across the board, and specifically highlighted Pete Nance, who had a strong showing in his minutes.
It’s clear Rivers is still in the lab, experimenting with combinations as he tries to find the right formula. Monday’s win didn’t solve everything, but it gave Milwaukee something to build on.
Tatum Watch: Celtics Star Takes a Visible Step Forward
The Celtics just keep finding ways to stay in the fight.
Despite missing Jayson Tatum, Boston sits at 26-16 and continues to hold its ground in the East. There’s still no official timetable for Tatum’s return from his Achilles injury, but Monday brought the most encouraging update yet.
Tatum took the floor for a one-hour on-court workout-with the media watching. That alone marked a shift.
Up to this point, most of his rehab had been happening behind closed doors. This time, the Celtics were comfortable letting the cameras roll.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla didn’t dive into medical specifics, but he acknowledged the significance of the moment. Simply seeing Tatum moving, shooting, and going through drills in front of reporters was a clear sign of progress.
Boston’s been holding the line without its star, but make no mistake-getting Tatum back changes everything. Monday’s workout didn’t bring a return date, but it did bring hope. And right now, that’s more than enough.