
Ex-Nets stars must own full blame for team's implosion

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USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
NBA insider gives update on Nets' Cam Thomas' free-agency status
Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas became a restricted free-agent this summer after a 2024-25 season that saw him put forth the best numbers of his four-year NBA career. Thomas hasn't been re-signed by Brooklyn yet and there seems to be a gap between what the former LSU Tiger wants and what the Nets want to pay him. There may be an answer to what's going on. "I think he's going to go back to Brooklyn, I don't think there's any other real suitors out there for him right now," NBA insider Jake Fischer said during a recent livestream for Bleacher Report. Fischer was relaying any information that he had on the restricted free-agents that still haven't been signed by their respective teams and Thomas doesn't seem like he's ready to sign just yet. "Cam Thomas to me seems to be the most likely of all the restricted free agents to take the qualifying offer," Fischer said. "Throughout all of my conversations around his restricted free agency, I have not heard that Brooklyn has offered Cam Thomas anything further than a two-year deal with a team option on the second deal that I don't believe is going much north, if north at all, of the $14.1 million mid-level exception." Thomas, 23, averaged 24.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 43.8% from the field and 34.9% from three-point land last season for the Nets. Part of what could be complicating his restricted free-agency is the fact that he achieved those numbers while playing in a career-low 25 games as he dealt with a troublesome left hamstring that bothered him throughout the season. For someone like Thomas that is reportedly expecting to earn somewhere around$30 million per year on his next contract, this offseason could be tough for a player looking to get paid. Due to the amount of teams that do not have cap space at this point of the summer, Thomas could either take the reported offer from the Nets or play on the $5.99 million qualifying offer depending on what intel he has at the moment.


USA Today
7 hours ago
- USA Today
2025 offseason update: Rockets' NBA draft assets, protections through 2032
Through 2032, here's an updated annual list of the Rockets' future NBA draft assets, as of July 2025. All of these picks are unprotected, unless otherwise noted. As part of their busy 2025 offseason, the Rockets traded away several future second-round picks in the blockbuster deal bringing All-Star forward Kevin Durant to Houston. They also, however, brought back two unprotected second-round selections in the trade sending Cam Whitmore to Washington. Despite the transaction flurry, the Rockets didn't trade away any future first-round capital. And with the 2025 NBA draft having passed, Houston now has its 2032 selections eligible to be dealt, since the league allows teams to make trades involving picks from the next seven draft cycles. Then again, with Houston's payroll in line to get much more expensive in future seasons, the Rockets could be incentivized to keep most or all of their current selections — since they're likely to need relatively inexpensive, rookie-scale contracts to fill out each roster. With all that in mind, here's an updated look at Houston's draft assets through 2032, which is the last year that future picks can be traded. All picks are unprotected, unless otherwise noted. 2026 Houston's own first-round pick goes Oklahoma City unless it finishes within the top four of the 2026 draft lottery. In that extremely unlikely scenario, Houston keeps its first-round pick and sends its 2026 second-round selection to the Thunder. Otherwise, the Rockets have: Keep in mind that because of the NBA's Stepien rule, teams cannot be without a first-round pick in consecutive future draft cycles. So, unless the Rockets trade back into the 2026 first round, they cannot entirely trade out of the 2027 first round. However, it is possible to work around that rule by executing a trade shortly after a pick is made — i.e. Houston could draft on behalf of another team and simply wait to finalize the deal. That's what happened in June 2025, when the Rockets drafted Duke center Khaman Maluach and traded him to the Phoenix Suns as part of the Durant deal. Because Houston did not have a 2026 first-round asset, the Rockets weren't able to formally trade their 2025 selection until after the draft, else they would be in conflict with the Stepien rule. 2027 There is a very unlikely scenario where Houston could also receive a 2027 second-round selection from either Portland or New Orleans, whichever is worse. However, this swap is protected for picks No. 31 through No. 55, meaning that the only way it would convey is if both the Trail Blazers and Pelicans are among the NBA's five-best teams that season (and thus, both in slots No. 56 through No. 60). To say the least, that appears unlikely based on current rosters and standings. 2028 2029 2030 2031 As part of the Clint Capela trade, Atlanta has the right to swap its 2031 second-round pick for Houston's 2031 second-round selection, with protections for slots No. 56 through No. 60. If this pick falls within that protected range and is therefore not conveyable, then Houston's commitment to the Hawks is lifted. 2032 Until the conclusion of the 2026 NBA draft next June, this is the last year that future picks can be traded. More: Report: NBA teams view 2027 draft as lacking elite prospects


New York Post
7 hours ago
- New York Post
Justin Fields dodged Jets' quarterback injury curse
Dexter Henry's 'Morning Take' for July 25th, 2025 explains why Jets fans should be relieved that Justin Fields only suffered a minor toe injury after Gang Green's tough history of dealing with quarterback injuries.