Why the Suns Should Pass on Cam Thomas, Even in a Time of Need
In a league that thrives on highlights, name recognition can carry a player a long way. A big playoff moment, a buzzer-beater in a marquee matchup, or even an All-Star nod from years past can cement a player in the minds of fans long after their production starts to dip. It’s part of what makes the NBA such a storytelling league-but it also means perception doesn’t always match reality.
Take Bones Hyland, for example. His breakout performance during a high-stakes matchup between Nikola Jokić and Joel Embiid late in the 2021-22 season still gets referenced by fans and media alike.
That game had MVP implications and was broadcast on a national stage, so it stuck. But a few years later, Hyland’s career trajectory has shifted dramatically.
He’s now on his third team in four seasons and struggling to carve out consistent minutes. Still, the memory of that one big night keeps his name in the conversation.
Cam Thomas finds himself in a similar space-polarizing, undeniably talented, and still riding the wave of a few electrifying scoring performances. At just 24, Thomas has multiple seasons averaging over 22 points per game.
He even became the youngest player in NBA history to notch three straight 40-point games. That kind of scoring ability doesn’t go unnoticed, and it’s why he has plenty of supporters even after being waived by the Brooklyn Nets following the trade deadline.
But that doesn’t mean he’s the right fit for every team. And for the Phoenix Suns, who are currently navigating injuries to both Devin Booker and Jalen Green, Thomas might seem like a tempting option.
On paper, adding a bucket-getter like him could help patch the short-term offensive hole. In reality, though, it could do more harm than good.
Phoenix’s Identity Is Built on Chemistry
One of the biggest reasons Phoenix has outperformed expectations this season is chemistry. This team genuinely enjoys playing together, and it shows-from the way they celebrate each other in postgame interviews to the energy on the bench after a key defensive stop or a timely three. Their ball movement has been crisp, their roles clearly defined, and their unselfishness a hallmark of their success.
Cam Thomas, for all his scoring prowess, doesn’t align with that identity.
He’s a score-first, ball-dominant guard who thrives in isolation sets and often halts ball movement. That’s not a knock on his talent-it’s just not what the Suns are about under interim head coach Jordan Ott.
Phoenix has leaned into a team-oriented style of play, where the ball zips around and multiple players get involved. Thomas, even when he’s hot, has a tendency to be a ball-stopper, which would disrupt the flow the Suns have worked hard to establish.
The Deadline Moves Spoke Volumes
Phoenix’s trade deadline strategy offered a clear message: they believe in the group they have. The acquisitions of Amir Coffey and Cole Anthony weren’t about shaking up the rotation-they were about financial flexibility. The Suns got under the tax line for the first time since the 2021-22 season and opened up a roster spot, presumably to convert Jamaree Bouyea’s two-way deal into a standard contract.
That’s not the kind of move you make if you’re planning to bring in a player like Thomas, who would require a significant role to be effective. He’s on a one-year deal after accepting the qualifying offer from Brooklyn, which means he’s playing for his next contract.
He needs minutes, touches, and the green light to score. Phoenix can’t offer that without disrupting the rotations that have gotten them to ten games above .500 and into the thick of the Western Conference playoff race.
Availability and Fit Matter
Jalen Green’s injury issues have been frustrating for Suns fans, no doubt. But when you look at his availability over the years compared to Thomas, there’s a clear difference.
Since entering the league the same year, Green has played at least 76 games in 60% of his seasons. Thomas hasn’t hit that mark once.
And while the Suns could use another ball handler-especially after their recent loss to the Golden State Warriors-Thomas isn’t the kind of facilitator they need.
Add in the concerns that have come out of Brooklyn about Thomas’ body language and effort this season, and the fit becomes even murkier. The Suns are far from a perfect team, but they’ve built something real this year.
They’ve found a rhythm, an identity, and a locker room culture that’s working. Bringing in a player who doesn’t align with that-no matter how talented-just isn’t worth the risk.
Bottom Line
Cam Thomas is a gifted scorer with real NBA value. But for a Suns team that’s thriving on chemistry, cohesion, and a shared commitment to team basketball, he’s not the right piece.
Even in the face of injuries, Phoenix should stay the course. Their success this season hasn’t come from chasing names-it’s come from trusting the system and the guys already in the building.