Cam Thomas’ time with the Brooklyn Nets has come to an end. The Nets waited for the NBA trade deadline to pass, ultimately waiving the 24-year-old to become a free agent.
And while this just means another move for the Nets, many NBA fans were surprised by the decision.
Why Did the Brooklyn Nets Decide to Waive Cam Thomas After the NBA Trade Deadline?
The NBA Trade Deadline often brings on a few blockbuster moves before the league finally shifts gears for the playoffs. However, the Nets chose to waive Thomas after the deadline, eliciting mixed reactions from fans and analysts.
“The Brooklyn Nets are waiving Cam Thomas, allowing the scoring guard to enter free agency, sources tell ESPN,” ESPN’s Shams Charania wrote on X. “The Nets made the decision to allow Thomas to find a new home.”
The Brooklyn Nets are waiving Cam Thomas, allowing the scoring guard to enter free agency, sources tell ESPN. The Nets made the decision to allow Thomas to find a new home. pic.twitter.com/sK75uB6ZV1
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2026
According to Charania, the Nets decided to trade Thomas after being unable to finalize a deal for him. Though this could be due to a multitude of reasons, the team decided to let Thomas make his own moves.
Having said that, Thomas, who is currently signed to a one-year, $5,993,172 deal with the Nets, would have been an unrestricted free agent during the offseason. He picked up his qualifying offer last year. Of course, Thomas wasn’t without suitors.
According to a report by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, two teams previously showed interest in Thomas. “Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas is drawing trade interest from the Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks ahead of the trade deadline, league sources told @hoopshype,” Scotto wrote on Twitter (now X).
And since no trade materialized, the Nets eventually decided to trade Thomas.
Thomas Could Have Multiple Suitors Heading Into the 2026 NBA Playoffs
Despite the Nets’ unsuccessful attempt to finalize a trade deal with Thomas, there are a few destinations that could work out for him. This includes the Bucks, Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, and Houston Rockets.
Discussing the possibility of Magic signing him, For The Win’s Robert Zeglinski wrote: “Orlando is at the point in its own competitive window where saying no to a player like Thomas feels like a beggar being a chooser. I would at least look into the Thomas possibility if I were in the Magic front office.”
Furthermore, Thomas seems happy to move out and help a team that can actually use him.“Super excited ready to actually help and contribute to another team,” he said. “My next team is getting elite scoring, good playmaking and a good combo guard.”
