Nets Trade for Josh Minott, Waive Cam Thomas in Roster Shake-Up
The Brooklyn Nets made a quiet but telling move ahead of the trade deadline, acquiring forward Josh Minott from the Boston Celtics in exchange for cash considerations. In a corresponding move, the team has requested waivers on guard Cam Thomas, signaling a shift in their roster strategy as they look to recalibrate midseason.
Let’s start with Minott. The 6-foot-8 forward has quietly put together his most productive NBA season to date in Boston.
In 33 games, including 10 starts, he’s averaged 5.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assist in just under 16 minutes per game. But the real eye-catcher?
He’s shooting a career-best 50.7% from the field and a scorching 44.2% from deep - a notable leap for a player who came into the league with questions about his perimeter game.
Minott’s efficiency this season suggests he’s found a comfort zone as a role player, especially in spot-up and transition opportunities. His length and athleticism have always been intriguing, and Brooklyn’s front office is clearly betting on his upside as a versatile wing who can contribute on both ends of the floor. At 23 years old, there’s still room for growth, and in a Nets system that values switchability and floor spacing, Minott could carve out a meaningful role.
Originally drafted by Charlotte with the 45th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and traded to Minnesota on draft night, Minott’s journey has been that of a developmental project. He’s played 126 games over three-and-a-half seasons with the Timberwolves and Celtics, gradually earning more minutes and increasing his production. His college résumé includes a stint at Memphis, where he made the AAC All-Freshman Team after averaging 6.6 points and 3.8 boards in limited minutes - a sign even then of his efficiency and potential.
But with every addition comes a subtraction, and this one is significant. The Nets are parting ways with Cam Thomas, a player who’s been a microwave scorer since the moment he stepped onto an NBA court.
Drafted 27th overall by Brooklyn in 2021, Thomas has played 239 games (88 starts) for the franchise, averaging 15.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in just over 23 minutes per game. He’s a career 43.5% shooter from the field and 34.3% from three - solid numbers, particularly for a player who’s often operated as a spark plug off the bench.
This season, Thomas continued to do what he does best: get buckets. In 24 games (eight starts), he put up 15.6 points per game while slightly increasing his playmaking with 3.1 assists per contest.
But despite the scoring punch, Thomas has never quite found his footing as a consistent part of Brooklyn’s long-term plans. Whether due to defensive limitations, fit within the rotation, or a changing organizational vision, the Nets have now decided to move on.
This move feels like a pivot toward lineup flexibility and defensive versatility. Minott may not bring the scoring flair of Thomas, but he offers length, athleticism, and efficiency - three traits that fit the mold of today’s modern wing. And with Brooklyn navigating a season that’s been defined by inconsistency, this kind of roster tweak could be a step toward rebalancing the rotation.
Ultimately, this trade won’t make major headlines, but it’s the kind of under-the-radar move that could pay dividends if Minott continues his upward trajectory. For the Nets, it’s about finding the right pieces - not just the flashiest ones - to build a sustainable, competitive core.