CAN’T KEEP EYES OFF OF CAM
Growth of young Net impossible to ignore
Cam Thomas, 22, thoroughly outplayed first-time All-Star Tyrese Maxey, 23, in the Nets’ 136-121 defeat of the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday. He finished with 40 points on 14-of-26 shooting in his fourth straight start, including 21 points in a decisive third quarter.
Maxey boasts higher points, rebounds and assists averages this season, but his overall shooting percentages are very close to Thomas’. And when it comes to his recent Eastern Conference AllStar nod, he also has the benefit of a consistent role on a 30-18 team while Thomas’ role has fluctuated dramatically over the course of Brooklyn’s 20-28 start.
However, Thomas did not use Maxey’s success — and his own lack of national recognition — as motivation on Saturday. He was simply playing his game, doing what he needed to do to help the Nets escape Wells Fargo Center with a win.
Thomas’ early years in the NBA have not been as smooth as Maxey’s. But every player’s path to stardom in the league is different. His journey just requires a little more patience.
“Hopefully my time will come, but I don’t really get into stuff like that, I don’t really care,” Thomas said. “I just want to keep playing the right way, getting wins for my team… So congratulations to [Tyrese]. He’s a year or two older than me, so congratulations to him making the All-Star game. I’ve known him for a little minute during AAU, the camps and stuff. So it’s good to see him getting what he deserves. But for me, I just want to keep playing and winning for the team.”
Thomas is in the midst of one of the best offensive stretches of his career, averaging 30.4 points while shooting 53.7% from the field, 46.7% from 3-point range and 90% from the free throw line. 50/40/90. He is also averaging 0.75 points per minutes played, which is tied for 11th in the NBA and becomes even more impressive when considering he does not have a sustained role.
“He’s a magician when it comes to putting the ball in the hoop,” Lonnie Walker IV said. “It’s like
he puts a magnet in the ball every time he shoots the ball. So he’s just a great player. He’s young, so it’s beautiful to see because the sky’s the limit for this kid.”
The Nets are 18-15 when Thomas starts this season and 2-13 when he comes off the bench.
“I think this is only honestly the beginning with more reps, more time,” said Mikal Bridges, who has averaged 25.6 points per game over his last seven appearances. “But it’s been good. I think him just being out there in our starting lineup makes it easier, too. We kind of got two guys and they have to worry about it. It makes it easier for our offense, too.”
Despite Thomas’ stellar play in recent games, there is still no indication whether he will remain in the Nets’ starting lineup when the team is healthy. Thursday’s trade deadline could shake up Brooklyn’s roster in unexpected ways as well.
Head coach Jacque Vaughn was noncommittal when asked about it on Saturday night.
“I’m not sure what our starting unit will be going forward,” Vaughn said. “But I think right now this group has put us in position to win games. And I’ll always consider that as far as being the best option for our team… So I’ll always diagnose and see what’s best for our team going forward.”
Those within the Nets organization know what kind of player Thomas is. But his path to true stardom in the NBA starts with a consistent role. The decision to leave him in Brooklyn’s starting lineup should be a no-brainer at this point. His impact on the game is evident. His growth cannot be ignored.
“You’re seeing it at all levels now,” Vaughn said. “Whether it’s the ability for us to run a simple pick-and-roll and he makes the right decision. He’s just doing it over and over again. The game is really revealing itself to him, whether he’s going to take a shot, whether he’s going to produce something for a teammate, whether that’s going to be to a big at the rim or to a small in the corner. So I really think the way he’s seeing the game is really impressive. And then the effort that he’s given on the defensive end of the floor.”
After missing out on Wandy Peralta, Keynan Middleton and a few other free agent relievers, the Yankees are addressing their bullpen via trade.
The team is acquiring Caleb Ferguson from the Dodgers, a source confirmed to the Daily News. The unofficial deal was first reported by MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, who added that the recently-claimed Matt Gage is part of Los Angeles’ return.
The Dodgers also have an agreement with in-house free agent reliever Ryan Brasier, per multiple reports.
This marks the second time this offseason that the Yankees have added a southpaw from the Dodgers’ bullpen, as they previously traded for Victor González. Both can take on Peralta’s former responsibilities, as he bolted for San Diego in free agency last week. Other lefty relievers on the Yankees’ 40-man roster include Nick Ramirez and Matt Krook.
Ferguson becomes the most experienced left-hander in the Yankees’ pen, as he owns a 3.43 ERA over 207.1 career innings. That number shrinks to 2.85 when looking at Ferguson’s stats since 2020.
The 27-year-old, who missed the 2021 season due to Tommy John surgery, recorded a 3.43 ERA over a career-high 68 games and 60.1 innings last season.
Ferguson struck out 25.9% of the batters he faced in 2023 while walking 8.5%. Like other Yankees relievers, he has a knack for inducing groundballs. He did so at a 49.1% clip last season. Ferguson is also good at missing barrels, as he ranked in the 97th percentile in that category last year.
Ferguson is slated to be a free agent next offseason. He avoided arbitration by agreeing to a oneyear, $2.4 million deal with the Dodgers in January.
With Ferguson joining the fray, the Yankees’ top bullpen options now include him, González, closer Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, Jonathan Loáisiga, Ian Hamilton and Luke Weaver. Scott Effross’ timeline is unclear following Tommy John surgery, but he would be a key cog once cleared as well.
Other candidates for bullpen work include Ramirez, Krook, Ron Marinaccio, Cody Morris and Cody Poteet. Starting pitching prospects Will Warren and Clayton Beeter could factor in as well.