Latest news with #JakeFischer
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report: Nets haven't "significantly engaged" with RFA Cam Thomas yet
The Brooklyn Nets have had an interesting offseason thus far as they selected five players in the 2025 NBA Draft and traded for forward Michael Porter Jr. in the early days of free-agency. At this point, Brooklyn has one game left in the Las Vegas Summer League to evaluate players, but it looks like they haven't come to the table for one of their most important players. "Sources say that the Nets, in fact, have yet to even significantly engage their own restricted free agent: Scoring guard Cam Thomas," NBA insider Jake Fischer wrote during his latest article on the restricted free-agent (RFA) market. As of this writing, RFAs like Thomas, Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, and Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey have yet to be signed despite all coming off solid seasons. While Thomas is one of the best players on Brooklyn's roster heading into the 2025-26 season, the Nets could also be playing matters close to the vest given what the free-agent market looks like right now. Thomas being restricted gives the Nets leverage in the situation as they can match an offer that he receives from another team, but it seems like those offers are not coming in due to most teams not having much cap space to work with. Thomas, 23, is coming off the best season of his four-year career as he 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. The main issue for Thomas is that he is entering restricted free-agency during a time where most teams don't have the cap space to pry him away from the Nets and the best season of his career came in just a 25-game sample size. ESPN's Tim MacMahon said recently in his appearance on "The Brooklyn Boys" podcast that Thomas is ready to sign his new contract, but Brooklyn is not in as much of a rush to do so. Over the course of the 2024-25 season, Thomas was one of 19 players to average at least 24.0 points and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 43.8% from the field. This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Report: Nets haven't "significantly engaged" with RFA Cam Thomas yet
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Boston Celtics "never really" planned on trading two key stars
Jaylen Brown and Derrick White have both been floated in trade rumors throughout the opening weeks of the NBA offseason. The Boston Celtics have been retooling their roster following the Achilles injury that Jayson Tatum sustained during the playoffs against the New York Knicks. Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis have already been moved on via trade. Luke Kornet left in free agency, signing with the San Antonio Spurs, while Al Horford is yet to decide on his future. During a recent appearance on CLNS Media's "The Garden Report" podcast, NBA Insider Jake Fischer revealed that Boston "never really planned" on moving Brown or White via a trade. As such, White and Brown will be the top two options in Joe Mazzulla's rotation next season. "I think all along there was never really a plan to move Jaylen or Derrick," Fischer said. "So I don't think anything got close, and I don't think they were really willing to move those guys either. Like, you would have had to make a trade—Desmond Bane, Mikal Bridges–type of offer—for Derrick White. And honestly, for Jaylen—as great as he is—I think a lot of teams look at his salary number and go: 'Why would you be paying what Boston values him at, for that contract?' Tatum won't be on the injury report forever. At worst, he will return to the rotation for the 2026-27 season. Therefore, trading away other top-level stars for a one-season gap year doesn't make sense. Sure, the Celtics have some cap space issues, but there are other ways to approach getting under the second apron. Stevens achieved that goal momentarily, before Josh Minott put the team marginally back over the second luxury tax line. Stevens has made some tough decisions this summer and will likely need to make a few more in the coming weeks and months. Nevertheless, unless a mammoth deal crosses the Celtics' desk, Brown and White should be part of the lineup this season, and in the years to come when Boston is back to contending for championships. Watch the "Taylor Talks Celtics" podcast on: YouTube: Website: This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics "never really" planned on trading two key stars
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nets' Cam Thomas believed to not have much of a market
The Brooklyn Nets have gone through the 2025 NBA offseason by being aggressive with their cap space and acquiring more draft capital as they continue their rebuild. Brooklyn has significantly reshaped the team ahead of the 2025-26 season as a result of the 2025 NBA Draft and trades, but there is still one player for the team to make a choice on. "Cam Thomas, no, he does not really have a market to my understanding," NBA insider Jake Fischer said during a livestream for Bleacher Report. Fischer was answering a question regarding the status of Nets guard Cam Thomas, who is still a restricted free-agent despite the reporting that Thomas wants to come back to Brooklyn and the Nets being interested in re-signing him. Advertisement On June 29, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported that the Nets extended the $5.99 million qualifying offer to Thomas, officially making him a restricted free-agent heading into the beginning of NBA free-agency. Scotto mentioned in his reporting on the situation that the Nets were interested in re-signing all of their restricted free-agents, including forward Ziaire Williams and center Day'Ron Sharpe. What Fischer is referring to in terms of Thomas not having much of a market is more about the state of the NBA and the teams having money to spend in free-agency at this point in the offseason. Thomas, along with players like Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey, Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes, and Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, is still on the market due to the nature of restricted free-agency as a whole. Restricted free-agents don't have much of a choice over where they can go because the teams that hold their restricted free-agency can match whatever offer sheet they get in free-agency, which usually means that the team will bring the player back. However, most teams don't have the money left to truly bid on the remaining free-agents so Thomas has two choices that can make. He can either try to get the most money he can get from the Nets now or play on the qualifying offer next season with the goal of being an unrestricted free-agent next summer. That is something that former teammate in forward Trendon Watford did and once he had the choice to dictate his next move as an unrestricted free-agent, he left for the Philadelphia 76ers this summer. This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets' Cam Thomas believed to not have much of a market
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Suns' Bradley Beal trade buzz gets reality check from Jake Fischer
The post Suns' Bradley Beal trade buzz gets reality check from Jake Fischer appeared first on ClutchPoints. After the Phoenix Suns traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, the basketball world has wondered if Bradley Beal would be next to be dealt, as he's been in talks in the past. As it was rumored that the Suns are done with Beal due to the disappointing performance and huge contract, Jake Fischer would provide an update on that front. Advertisement Fischer would be on 'NBA Insider Notebook' for Bleacher Report, where the topic of Beal's possible trade market was brought up. He would shoot down any notions that there is any interest in a move and that the goal for him is to stay in Phoenix and try to have a 'bounce-back season.' 'I think there's really nothing to expect on the Bradley Beal front outside of Bradley Beal being a member of the Phoenix Suns and trying to have a bounce-back season,' Fischer said. 'If he does that, and by bounce back season, I want to say Bradley Beal also, because of just how poor overall Phoenix's season went, I think his success and his efficiency as a shooter honestly got a bit overshadowed, clouded. The guy averaged 17 points a game last year, shooting 38% from three in 32 minutes per game.' Last season, Beal averaged 17 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting 49.7 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from beyond the arc. With Durant traded, it could give Beal more opportunity to produce, though Jalen Green now enters the fold with the Durant trade. Suns' Bradley Beal deemed 'untradeable' © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images While some argue that the Suns' new Big Three with Beal, Green, and Devin Booker shouldn't stay together, it seems like the team is heading for that unit to lead the 2025-26 season. Fischer would continue to say that Beal is 'healthy' and ready to be a 'real factor' for the team, along with the two aforementioned guards. Advertisement 'The world out of Beal land is that Bradley Beal is healthy,' Fischer said. 'He's going to come back at 32 years old with two years left on his deal and be a real factor in Phoenix's backcourt alongside Devin Booker and newly added Jalen Green.' It would be reported by Suns insider John Gambarodo that the team doesn't want Beal back, but that he is 'untradeable.' 'They do not want him back. But he is untradable, and if he does not agree to a buyout, they may be stuck with him,' Gambarodo wrote on X, formerly Twitter. 'One of the questions they asked candidates during the coaching cycle was what you would do with Beal. They 100% don't want him and are looking at how to get out.' Phoenix is looking to improve after finishing with a 36-46 record, which put them 11th in the Western Conference. Related: NBA rumors: Chris Paul reunion with Suns or Clippers is a possibility Related: Rich Paul told Mat Ishbia he'd steer Khaman Maluach to Suns
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA rumors: Pelicans' Jonathan Kuminga interest faces ‘considerable' obstacles
The post NBA rumors: Pelicans' Jonathan Kuminga interest faces 'considerable' obstacles appeared first on ClutchPoints. Jonathan Kuminga's future at the Golden State Warriors continues to remain uncertain despite several teams maintaining an interest in the forward. The Warriors have sent out a qualifying offer of $7.9 million, which gives them the freedom to match free agency offers. Advertisement The New Orleans Pelicans are among multiple teams interested in the 22-year-old. However, their pursuit faces considerable obstacles, the biggest being in the form of Kuminga's wage demands, per Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. Staying below the luxury tax has been a 'perennial priority' for the Pelicans' ownership, and the 'cap gymnastics' needed to do so while signing Kuminga have been described as considerable. The player has also drawn interest from the likes of the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, and the Sacramento Kings. However, JK is understood to be seeking a contract worth at least $30 million per season, something a lot of teams are struggling with. The Pelicans are still around $10 million below the luxury tax threshold and will need to move players in order to sign Kuminga at his current demands. Drafted seventh overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, he averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game last season while shooting at over 50% from the field. However, there has been consistent tension between Jonathan Kuminga and head coach Steve Kerr. Advertisement Last season, Kerr publicly criticized Kuminga's tendency to prioritize his shots over making team plays. He had started just 10 games in the regular season out of a total of 47 appearances. Kuminga also did not play a major role in the playoffs, starting just once in the postseason and playing 23.4 minutes per game, around a minute less than his regular-season average. Given the scarcity of cap space in NBA free agency this year, the Warriors have a clear advantage in this scenario. They can simply wait it out and match any offers Kuminga receives, and a short-term return to Golden State might also be in the cards. Related: Pelicans' Jose Alvarado hilariously reveals his favorite NBA player Related: New Orleans Pelicans 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pick
