It’s been almost two full months since Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Cam Thomas went down with a hamstring injury. Thomas last played on January 2nd and has been in recovery since. The franchise is on a rebuilding trajectory and essentially entered the regular season that way. Despite that being the goal for the organization, the Nets are playing well enough to keep them within reach of a play-in spot. If they keep playing the way they are, they have a shot at overtaking the Chicago Bulls, who sit above them with just two more wins.
Nets Set To Welcome Back Cam Thomas From Injury
Brooklyn Nets Guard Cam Thomas Ready to Return From Injury, Will Suit Up Friday Night
Thomas’s return from injury, as reported by Michael Scotto of HoopsHypes, comes at an interesting time, considering where Brooklyn sits in the East. The Nets decided against trading Thomas and Cam Johnson at the trade deadline. Both players were speculated to be on the move, considering what the Nets want to do in the offseason. However, both Cam’s remained with the team after the deadline, as did Nic Claxton, who was also rumored to be on the trade block with teams showing interest.
The Nets weren’t shy about their intentions to have a fire sale on their roster, and they indicated as such shortly after the season began. They shipped out Dorian Finney-Smith, Dennis Schröder, and Shake Milton prior to February 6th. After the deadline, they bought out Ben Simmons, who eventually signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. All of that being said, just because Johnson and Thomas made it past the deadline safely, there are no guarantees heading into the summer. Whatever the future holds for Thomas, getting back on the floor is a plus for him to regain his basketball groove and showcase his talent while the Nets push for a play-in berth.
What Kind of Impact Can Thomas Make?
Brooklyn is one of the lowest-scoring teams in the league. They averaged only 100.7 points per game after Thomas injured his hamstring. The Nets are second to last in points per game, averaging 105.1. Only the Orlando Magic are worse, with a 103.9 average. Thomas’s return should help the Nets offense after a few games of getting his legs under him again. Whether he starts or comes off the bench hasn’t been determined yet. Thomas averaged 24.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists before he went down. He was also shooting 37.5% from three and a career-high 44.8% from the field. He is unquestionably a gifted scorer, which the Nets desperately need.
That might not sit well with Brooklyn’s front office, though. I’m sure they would prefer to be trending downward in the standings as opposed to one seed out of a play-in spot. Nevertheless, players don’t have a lose-on-purpose mindset. Tanking isn’t in the DNA. So, expect Thomas to be excited to play again and contribute, helping the Nets overtake the Bulls for the last play-in spot.
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