By Avi Wizwer
The Brooklyn Nets have opened up their 2023-24 NBA regular season with three wins and four losses. One thing that seems to be missing for the team is a primary scorer, someone who can create their own shot and carry the load of the offense for the Nets. Though, they may already have one. Cam Thomas, a 22-year-old shooting guard, has shown glimpses of becoming an offensive weapon in previous seasons.
The team is coming off of a fairly impressive season with the roster being revamped completely, trading away all-star forward Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, and a fair share of future first-round picks. The Nets also traded away star point guard Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris to the Dallas Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, and future first-round and second-round picks. They finished off their 2022-23 season in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
As we fast forward to the present, the Brooklyn Nets have Ben Simmons returning from an injury; he is a key player to look out for moving forward.
Additionally, Thomas could be what the team needs to perfect their offense. When the “big three” of Irving, Durant, and James Harden showed up, Thomas displayed great potential in some outings when one or all three of them would sit out due to injury or rest.
In his rookie season, Thomas averaged 8.5 points per game with 43% from the field and 27% from the three-point line. He showed some improvements in his sophomore campaign as he averaged 10.6 points per game, 44% from the field, and improved his three-point shooting to 38%. In only seven games in the 2023-24 season thus far, Thomas has skyrocketed, averaging 28 points per game, shooting 48% from the field and taking a dip in his three-point shooting 33%.
The Brooklyn Nets might just have the primary scoring option they have been looking for as they have had multiple 30-point games so far this season. With a supporting cast of Simmons, Bridges, Lonnie Walker IV, Finney-Smith, Cam Johnson, and returning guard Dinwiddie, the Nets might be incredibly underrated and a team to look out for in the Eastern Conference. With Thomas being given the keys to the offense, it remains to be seen just how far this young hero can take this team.