Having missed most of the season, Cam Thomas will be looking for a strong stretch run.
To show his injuries were a fluke. To show he can coexist defensively with D’Angelo Russell. To finish off a contract year heading into free agency.
And most of all, to win.
“I’m just finishing strong,” Thomas told The Post and YES Network before a 121-119 loss to Golden State on Thursday. “I mean, that’s just the name of it. I just want to finish strong just to finish strong. I’m not really worried about [my] contract year or anything. I mean, I think all of that will take care of itself.”
Despite the loss, Thomas had a big night for the Nets, finishing with 23 points, seven assists and three rebounds in 26 minutes.
“At this point, I’m not really worried about it,” Thomas said. “I just want to finish strong for the team, and then wherever [free agency] takes us, it takes us. But I’m not really worried about finishing strong for that aspect. I just want to finish strong because we want to win games and build something here. So that’s really all there is to it for me.”
Where it’s likely to take him is into restricted free agency, but with the Nets holding most of the cards.
There aren’t many teams that realistically can bid for Thomas, and Brooklyn GM Sean Marks is unlikely to bid against himself.
“As of now, it seems like the Nets have more leverage,” cap expert Yossi Gozlan told The Post. “I think Cam Thomas’ best chance at getting a big contract elsewhere is with a sign-and-trade due to his restricted status. I think he’s looking at a Collin Sexton-type annual salary adjusted for inflation.”
Thomas’ market could be in the $20 million-$22 million per year range, a source told The Post.
A strong stretch run likely won’t tangibly change that, but it certainly won’t hurt.
“For [Thomas], knowing him for awhile, it’s his contract year, just seeing him going through his injuries — it’s the first time since he’s been here that he’s really had any prolonged injury — so seeing him go through that and getting back out there on the floor, and then obviously what he brings to the team is one of the best scorers in the league,” teammate Nic Claxton said. “So that speaks for itself.”
Thursday marked Thomas’ third appearance since returning from a hamstring injury that had sidelined him for 24 straight games.
Coming into the Warriors tilt, he had played just four times since Nov. 25.
Thomas entered the game leading the Nets in scoring at 24.2 points.
Warriors. Robert Sabo for New York Post
He’d averaged 27.3 in his previous three games against the Warriors, and that includes having come off the floor injured at Golden State on Nov. 25.
But he’s also missed 40 games this season.
The Nets can make him a restricted free agent by tendering him a qualifying offer.
That would be $8,741,210 if he reaches the starter’s criteria, which would require him starting another 11 more games over the rest of the season.
If he doesn’t, the qualifying offer would be just $5,993,172.
The latter scenario is unlikely, but the injuries have come at an inopportune time. Especially with money set to be so scarce over the summer.
Brooklyn is set to have $60 million in cap space, more than double the next-closest team.
The Pistons are second at just $25 million.
Utah could clear $30 million but only in the unlikely event that John Collins opts out in a year that nobody has money to pay him.
Chicago, Memphis, Houston, San Antonio and Atlanta could have a modicum of cap space, but all are far more likely to have just the non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
In short, Thomas’ options are limited.
“CT is a weapon. Everybody has to pay attention. … [His shot] is going to come. I’m not concerned about it. I want him to let it fly,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said. “Defensively, that’s the next step. Can he be better with his ball pressure, with his defending the 3, following assignments and game plan? So, happy right now with the second game back.”
Thursday marked the third. Thomas will be looking for a strong fourth, fifth and so on for a strong finish.
Noah Clowney has had his first 5-on-5 workout, trying to return from his ankle injury.
Tyson Etienne was active after getting called up from G League Long Island and handed his first two-way, but was a DNP. Etienne was born in Manhattan and raised in Bergen County NJ.
