"Hopefully, somebody takes a chance": Kevin Durant Challenges NBA Front Offices By Boldly Endorsing $5,993,172 Pure Scorer as Franchise Pillar

Houston Rockets superstar Kevin Durant went up against his former Brooklyn Nets teammate Cam Thomas on Thursday. Durant’s Rockets led 26-20 after one quarter before rolling to a comfortable 120-96 win. The former MVP finished with 22 points, 11 assists and five rebounds while Thomas tallied 21 points and one assist in 23 minutes.

After the game, Durant responded when asked about Thomas’ future in the NBA:

“I feel like Cam (Thomas) has a bright future. It just takes somebody to believe in his talent and his skill. … We’re so used to loving defenders, playmakers and guys that can be connectors. Sometimes, scorers get taken for granted. Hopefully, somebody takes a chance on Cam and gives him what he deserves and puts the ball in his hands and builds around him.”

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The Nets and Thomas could not agree to a long-term deal in the offseason. He eventually agreed to a one-year, $5.9 million contract to remain in Brooklyn, per Spotrac. Thomas becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season ends.

Nets Wire reported in August that Cam Thomas wanted a salary between the $20-30 million range. Brooklyn did not accommodate him, forcing the combo guard to take the qualifying offer.

The Brooklyn Nets also have a logjam at both point guard spots. After drafting Egor Demin, Ben Saraf and Drake Powell, the team seems ready to move on from Kevin Durant’s former teammate.

Thomas averaged 24.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game last season, all career-high numbers. However, he struggles on defense and is not a good shooter off the bounce. Only time will tell if a team will make him a franchise cornerstone when the Nets are unwilling to do so.

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Kevin Durant is 3-1 against Cam Thomas

Kevin Durant and Cam Thomas first played against each other on Dec. 13, 2023. Durant’s Phoenix Suns lost 116-112 to the Brooklyn Nets. Durant tallied 27 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks, but Thomas got the victory.

The teams had their rematch on New Year’s Day in Brooklyn. This time, Durant and his teammates whipped the home team 136-120. KD delivered 33 points, eight assists and five rebounds while Thomas tallied 25 points, four assists and two rebounds.

This season, Kevin Durant's Rockets swept the season series against the Nets. Houston walloped Brooklyn 137-109 in late October before blowing out the same opponent on Thursday.

Edited by Michael Macasero