NBA Trade Deadline Roundup: Cam Thomas Era Ends in Brooklyn, Tyus Jones Heads to Dallas, and Bulls Join Multi-Team Shuffle
With the trade deadline in the rearview, a trio of Eastern Conference teams made some notable moves-or in one case, a notable exit. Let’s break down what went down in Brooklyn, Dallas, and Chicago, and what it all means moving forward.
Brooklyn Cuts Ties with Cam Thomas
Cam Thomas’ time in Brooklyn has come to an official end. After shopping the scoring guard ahead of the deadline and coming up empty, the Nets are waiving the fifth-year player. Once he clears waivers, Thomas will be free to sign with any team that has both a roster spot and enough space under the hard cap.
This move didn’t exactly come out of nowhere. Thomas didn’t travel with the team to Orlando and was ruled out for personal reasons, signaling that something was brewing behind the scenes. His contract situation also played a role-after signing his qualifying offer last summer, Thomas effectively held veto power over any trade, which limited Brooklyn’s options.
There were some rumblings about interest from the Cavaliers and Bucks, but nothing came of those talks. According to reports, Thomas and his camp were actually hoping for a release if a deal couldn’t be found. Thomas confirmed that mindset, saying he's “super excited” to contribute elsewhere.
When healthy, Thomas has shown he can fill it up. He’s averaged double figures in scoring throughout his career, but injuries have kept him on the shelf more often than not-just 25 games last season and 24 so far this year.
Without a long-term deal in place and with the Nets clearly shifting directions, a split felt inevitable. Now, Thomas gets a fresh start, and Brooklyn gets roster flexibility.
Dallas Finally Lands Tyus Jones
The Mavericks got their man-just a few months later than expected.
After chasing Tyus Jones in free agency last summer, Dallas finally acquired the veteran point guard in a trade with the Hornets. Charlotte had just picked up Jones from Orlando earlier in the week, but quickly flipped him to the Mavs in exchange for Malaki Branham and a $7 million trade exception. No draft picks changed hands.
Dallas made a strong push for Jones last offseason, but couldn’t match the $7 million offer he got from the Magic. That led them to pivot to D’Angelo Russell, who eventually ended up in Washington as part of the Anthony Davis trade.
Even though Jones struggled with his shot in Orlando, his value lies in his steady hand as a floor general. He’s long been one of the league’s most dependable ball-handlers, and with Kyrie Irving currently sidelined, Jones should slot into meaningful minutes right away in Dallas.
Branham, meanwhile, is on an expiring $5 million deal. The former first-rounder had some early opportunities in San Antonio but saw his role shrink over time. Now, he’ll get a fresh look in Charlotte, which continues to stockpile young talent and financial flexibility.
Bulls Join Bucks-Suns Trade, Land Nick Richards
Chicago wasn’t expected to be a major player at the deadline, but they found their way into a multi-team deal involving the Bucks and Suns-and came away with a new big man in the process.
Originally a two-team swap between Milwaukee and Phoenix, the trade expanded to include the Bulls. The end result: center Nick Richards lands in Chicago instead of Milwaukee, while forward Ousmane Dieng heads to the Bucks.
In the earlier version of the deal, Phoenix acquired Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey, while sending out Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis. That move came shortly after Milwaukee made it clear that Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn’t going anywhere, signaling their intent to build around him with more urgency.
For the Suns, this was largely about cap maneuvering. The deal drops them roughly $2.5 million below the luxury tax and creates a $5 million trade exception. It also opens a lane to promote two-way guard Jamaree Bouyea, giving them some internal development flexibility.
As for Chicago, Richards gives them a physical presence in the paint and some added depth behind Nikola Vucevic. Whether he plays a significant role or not remains to be seen, but the Bulls clearly saw an opportunity to get involved and grabbed it.
Hayes-Davis, meanwhile, is expected to be waived, making him a potential pickup for a team looking to fill out its bench.
Final Thoughts
While none of these moves will shake up the title race on their own, they each carry interesting implications. Cam Thomas is now a free agent with something to prove.
Tyus Jones finally gets a shot to run the show in Dallas. And the Bulls quietly added a useful piece in a crowded trade market.
As always, the trade deadline isn’t just about blockbuster deals-it’s about positioning. And these teams just made some moves that could quietly pay off down the stretch.