Whether the Nets decide to continue rebuilding or pursue a star, a priority for this summer will be re-signing Cam Thomas and Day’Ron Sharpe, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post (subscription required).
Both players were first-round picks in 2021, and they’ve become part of Brooklyn’s foundation during their four NBA seasons. Neither of them reached an extension prior to the deadline last fall, so they’ll both be restricted free agents if the Nets extend qualifying offers.
General manager Sean Marks talked to Lewis about the importance of hanging on to players that the organization has developed.
“It’s always great when you are able to draft somebody like those two specifically, and then they get this opportunity to [decide]: Are they going to sign their second contract with us?” Marks said. “So, I look forward to the summer, and look forward to those conversations with their agents, and we’ll see where it all plays out. But I do think it’s important to be able to keep your homegrown talent.”
Thomas, a 23-year-old shooting guard, established himself as a dynamic scorer during a breakout 2023/24 season, averaging 22.5 PPG in 66 games while shooting 44.2% from the field and 36.4% from three-point range. He increased his scoring averaging to 24 PPG this season and handed out a career-best 3.8 assists per night, but he was limited to 25 games because of a series of hamstring injuries and didn’t play after March 13.
“When I was available, I thought I had a great season when I was able to play,” Thomas said. “Obviously, I’d love to be playing more, but sometimes, that’s just how the cards are dealt. Hungry and ready to get back to playing so this never happens again. … I feel really good, way better than I was. Rehab is going real good, feeling real good. Going into the offseason, feeling good is positive.”
Cap expert Yossi Gozlan told Lewis that Thomas can expect a new contract similar to Collin Sexton‘s, but “adjusted for inflation.” Sexton signed a four-year, $70MM deal with Utah in 2022. Lewis talked to another source who expects Thomas’ annual salary to fall in the range of $20MM to $22MM.
Sharpe isn’t expected to be as costly, with Lewis citing a Spotrac projection that has him re-signing with the Nets at $30MM over three years. The 23-year-old big man has been a reliable reserve during his time in Brooklyn and posted career highs this season with 7.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in 50 games.
“I’m new to this so whatever happens, happens,” Sharpe said. “But I like Brooklyn, so God willing, [I’ll be back].”
Lewis points out that Thomas and Sharpe are among numerous personnel decisions Marks will face this offseason. Ziaire Williams, Tyson Etienne and Reece Beekman can also be made restricted free agents by giving them qualifying offers. In addition, De’Anthony Melton and Trendon Watford will be unrestricted free agents, and Lewis doesn’t expect the club to keep Melton, who was out for the year with a torn ACL when he was acquired from Golden State in December.
Brooklyn holds team options on Keon Johnson, Tyrese Martin, Drew Timme and Jalen Wilson.
Sharpe I think should be on the move. He is stuck behind Claxton in Brooklyn and this year when he started he was really good.
Nets have the most pieces for Kuminga – Sharpe and one of Thomas or Johnson will headline the package back.
Kuminga is about to be a restricted free agent, there will be no package to GSW if the Nets decide to pursue him.
I think Golden State will most likely match the offer and then try to trade Kuminga later.
But in my opinion, he lost a lot of value this season. They probably should have traded him instead of Wiggins.
They could not have done that, given Wiggins contract was 100% necessary to match Butler’s salary.
Maybe with a third team? Idk
GSW will sign and trade Kuminga
Golden state would be lucky to get a package highlighted by them two plus more.
You sound shocked? This guy has had Golden State trading for Giannis, jokic, luka and LeBron this season alone. Of course they trading scraps for these guys, lol.
Melton RFA is erroneous info, he’s been unrestricted for awhile now.
He signed a 1-year deal in what was his 7th season.
Yeah, Lewis had him listed as an RFA, but that’s definitely wrong. I’ve updated the story to reflect that.
Sharpe will be really coveted, lots of teams need a center for cheap.
I hope he’ll go somewhere that he’ll be appreciated.
This would be monumentally stupid
Both should’ve been traded at the deadline
How does marks still have a job??
Nets Offseason Depth = 18 Players (4 GC + 5 TO + 3 RFA + 1 TW + 4 FRPs + 1 SRP)
PG:
SG: Cam Thomas (RFA), Keon Johnson (2.3 TO), Tyrese Martin (2.2 TO)
SF: Ziaire Williams (RFA), Jalen Wilson (2.2 TO), Dariq Whitehead (3.3), Maxwell Lewis (2.2 TO)
PF: Cam Johnson (20.5), Noah Clowney (3.4), Tosan Evboumwan (TW)
C: Nic Claxton (25.4), Day’Ron Sharpe (RFA), Drew Timme (2.0 TO)
Draft Picks: #6 (Estimated), #20 (MIL), #26 (NYK), #27 (HOU), #36
UFA: D’Angelo Russell (PG), De’Anthony Melton (SG), Trendon Watford (PF)
Two-Way RFA: Reece Beekman (PG), Tyson Etienne (SG)
Team Options: Johnson, Wilson, and Martin are locks. They combined for 5200 minutes last season (3 of top 6 in minutes) and are owed a combined 6.7M.
Timme and Lewis are more dependent on what the Nets do with their picks. Both are Two-Way eligible. Lewis is essentially a Team Option (6/29 deadline on his Non-Guarantee). He has 100K guaranteed so it would cost the Nets slightly to replace him with another minimum.
The Nets could also decide to maxout on cap space to raise the bidding on the following RFAs: Josh Giddey, Quentin Grimes, Jonathan Kuminga, Santi Aldama, and Davion Mitchell
Grimes is probably the most interesting (given his Knick ties and PHI production) but bringing back Thomas would complicate that; they’re mainly just ensuring PHI doesn’t get a bargain.
Kuminga’s value has never been lower (DNP-CD in their Play-In game & marginalized by Jimmy Butler), so he’s perhaps the biggest flight risk. Also fits as a long-term replacement for Cam Johnson.
Aldama can likely also be had with MEM in the middle of a collapse and have shown they will prioritize money for JJJ.
Among UFA targets, Ty Jerome is going to be a name that gets brought up but he’s a major trap. He’s only one year younger than D’Angelo Russell and has nowhere near the track record. Russell is likely amenable to a short-term deal to continue along as a replacement-level starter.
Killian Hayes will probably get a minimum deal to be the backup PG. He would have had a roster spot out of camp if not for Ben Simmons contract, and was expected to rejoin the team until he got hurt late it the GLG season (roster spot went to Timme).
I don’t know what you mean by trap. TJ has no doubt played himself into a 3 or 4 yr deal and will be either a missing piece for a contender or a core piece for an ascendent team. For the Nets, it comes down to how they plan to approach next szn. Will they push chips in and try to be competitive or go all youth.
That is exactly what I mean by a trap. Jerome is a 20 MPG 7th man who has started 10 games in his career (which consists of five other seasons besides this one), and you’re talking about him getting 3-4 years.
Maybe on a McConnell style contract where it’s only half-guaranteed. A long list of role players who thrived in one system and disappeared after changing teams.
Nah. TJ is having a legit breakout. It’s basically irrelevant that he couldn’t break thru before this. No one looking for a difference maker is going to hold his career starts against him.
I don’t hear anyone talking about career starts for Naz Reid or Grimes.. or that Grimes is on his 4th team in 4 seasons. Jerome has become a guy that just makes plays. He’s become a legit 3 pt threat. Of course he’s benefited from being surrounded by good players on this Cavs team. But ppl recognize that he’s had a lot to do with it.
He’s a bad defender and an average playmaker. His pick & roll game is contingent on him maintaining an unsustainable Jokic-like efficiency on his floater.
These are things that get exposed when roles expand and teammate quality declines. He could very easily be the Obi Toppin of the offseason.
Not sure what the Jerome hatred is about. The dude has been lights out all season to a 51/44/87 clip in 20 mpg. The McConnell comp isn’t good. TJM is 6’1”. Jerome is 6’5”. Big difference in today’s nba. His situation is maybe more similar to Malik Monk who never carved out a starting role in 6 previous szns (or 7?). So yeah, Jerome’s track record record is lighter so he probably won’t get the deal that Monk got but someone will pay him.
The McConnell comp is he’s a career backup with great statistical production (17.6 PER over the last 6 years) who doesn’t start (or even play 6th man minutes, just like Jerome) because his critical flaws would get exposed.
Monk started 37 games (28 MPG) in 2022 before signing with the Kings, and he started 45/65 games (32 MPG) this season. He also played 26 MPG last year as the runner-up 6th man of the year. This season he also had his worst production in 3 years as a King since he wasn’t playing against backups anymore.
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“he probably won’t get the deal that Monk got but someone will pay him.”
Monk signed a 2Y/19M contract in 2022. You might want to do some research.
McConnell signed a 4Y/33M contract in 2021.
He signed a 4Y/45M extension in 2024.
Jerome will be paid like a backup unless he’s starting.
someone is a little snippy for some reason. I don’t need to do any “research.” 😁 I was referring to the contract that Monk just signed last summer to stay in Sacramento.
I’m still trying to figure out the stick up your butt each time the topic of Jerome’s free agency comes up. It’s amusing fwiw. Ty will finish top 3 in 6MOY award.
How many of those rfas are a top 3 on a title team?
Otherwise don’t bother
Yes they have 15 first rounders over the next 7 years but 4 are this year
They should move up with those 2 late firsts to take a bigger swing and sell off what they can for future picks in years when they have only their own pick
“How many of those rfas are a top 3 on a title team?”
Grimes is probably the 3rd best player on Philly next year.
Aldama (23) and especially Kuminga (22) are also young enough that they could be at that level in three years. It goes without saying that anyone at that level right now already signed their extension.
That last line is my point
The nets need to find their core 3ish guys
Marks is good and finding dudes around the edges
Is grimes a 3 on any of the top 4 seeds in either conference?
Would you have said that about Khris Middleton or Jrue Holiday at Age 24?
KCP was the 3rd best player on the Lakers in 2020 btw
P.J. Washington was the 3rd best player on a Finals team last season
DeAndre Ayton was 3rd best on the 2021 Suns… you’re underestimating how broad the range of a 3rd best player is.
Also worth noting that Mikal Bridges is the 5th best player on the Knicks and they still can’t beat the 3 teams above them.
I would also leave it to you to even determine who Houston’s 3rd best player is….
God help us if the Nets bring back Russell. 🤦♂️
I would certainly put Ziaire into the “must sign” bucket.
Also, is it possible for Marks to finally convince Milutinov to come over from Europe?
Milutinov signed a 3-year extension in December.
Marks is a good drafter. The Nets are on the rise!
I have a feeling that the Nets will have 2 Lithuanians on the team next season.