Cam Thomas’ Focus Remains on the Court as Season Opener Approaches

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With the NBA season set to kick off, Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas finds himself in a crucial position as he heads into a contract year. While he was the team’s leading scorer last season, Thomas is currently an unrestricted free agent, having not secured a long-term extension with the Nets.

Contract Concerns Set Aside

Despite the looming contract discussions, Thomas emphasizes that he is not letting his contract situation distract him from his performance on the court.

“Nah, it’s easy. I’m not really worried about that. It’ll take care of itself,” said Thomas. “The main goal is just being on the court and playing; I love to hoop, I love to play, so that’s really the main thing I’m trying to do this year. Whatever happens, happens.”

Injury Challenges from Last Season

Last season, Thomas led the Nets in scoring but faced significant challenges due to injuries, appearing in only 25 games due to hamstring issues. Now, as he prepares for the new season, he has returned slimmed down, though he insists this change was not specifically aimed at preventing injuries.

• Weight Change: “I really didn’t feel any different,” he remarked, noting that the lighter weight is more for appearance. “Obviously, when you drop some weight you get a little quicker… but I felt good, just ready to go.”

Preseason Performance and Coaching Confidence

While Thomas’s performance during the preseason was underwhelming by his standards—averaging just 13.3 points and shooting 39% overall with a meager 15.4% from three—Nets coach Jordi Fernández remains optimistic about his contributions.

“We’re doing whatever the team needs right now… CT got six assists and two turnovers. He didn’t shoot as well, but I want him to be aggressive because I know it’s gonna go in," Fernández stated.

Fernández is committed to developing plays that leverage not only Thomas’s abilities but also those of fellow teammate Michael Porter Jr.

Positive Team Dynamics

As the Nets gear up for their opening night against the Charlotte Hornets, the team boasts a much healthier lineup compared to last season. Only Haywood Highsmith is listed as out due to a knee injury, ensuring the Nets have their key players available for the game.

Keys to the Game

As the Nets prepare to face the Hornets, here are a few focal points that could impact the team’s performance:

• Aggressive Attitude: Thomas needs to adopt an aggressive approach on both ends of the floor.
• Team Chemistry: A healthy roster can improve on-court dynamics and contribute to better performance.
• Offensive Sets: Implementation of effective offensive plays to maximize scoring opportunities for top players like Thomas and Porter.

Conclusion

As the Nets look to start the season strong, Cam Thomas is determined to keep his focus on basketball, pushing aside contract worries for now. His commitment to team dynamics and performance could be pivotal as Brooklyn embarks on what they hope will be a successful campaign.

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