The star of the Nets, forced to evolve: "Jordi and I always talk about it"

The 2025/26 season of the NBA, which starts on October 21, will be crucial for the reconstruction of the Brooklyn Nets. The team is not planning to compete for the play-in in the Eastern Conference. Their goal is to achieve the best possible pick in the upcoming Draft. But it is also essential that Cam Thomas evolves in his style of play, as he has all it takes to be the star of the team for a long time.

Thomas has made it clear that he does not intend to alter his player identity. However, signs of his maturity are beginning to show. During the training camp, his focus and performance in the preseason have conveyed the message of a player who understands the stakes.

Former player and Hall of Fame member Vince Carter summarized it directly when speaking with The New York Post: "Cam is a talented young guy, but this is his big year. He has to prove what he's made of."

Thomas turned down two contract extension offers from the Nets—one for two years at 30 million dollars and another for 9.5 million with incentives—before deciding to bet on himself and sign the qualifying offer. This decision gives him a no-trade clause and the ability to choose his future freely next summer.

However, that freedom comes with responsibility. Thomas must not only score, something he does naturally, but also show that he can stay healthy, evolve defensively, and contribute as a playmaker.

Cam Thomas' Words

Coach Jordi Fernández, in his first full season leading the team, has been clear with his message: focus and details must be the priority.

Thomas himself has explained that he is not looking to reinvent himself but to refine his impact: "Teams will double me, so that translates into assists. I am still a scorer, but I want to make the right play and keep the defense honest. I just read the game and act based on what the defense gives me."

This evolution, according to the player, also stems from better communication with Fernández: "Jordi and I talk a lot about my role. He knows who I am, understands me, and that is key. I am learning to balance when to be aggressive and when to let others participate. We understand each other better, and that shows in the group," Thomas said.

The shooting guard has solidified himself as one of the few offensive certainties for the Nets, alongside Michael Porter Jr., but his future in Brooklyn remains uncertain. What is clear is that this season represents a definitive test: a year to prove he can be more than just a brilliant scorer, that he can become a functional leader within a young and rebuilding team.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La estrella de los Nets, obligada a evolucionar: "Jordi y yo siempre lo hablamos"