Latest news with #Nets'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nets guard Cam Thomas rebuts critics amid free-agency talks
NEW YORK — All has been quiet on the Cam Thomas front recently. NBA free agency began June 30, but the Nets' polarizing young scoring guard remains unsigned. He is joined by notable restricted free agents like Golden State's Jonathan Kuminga, Chicago's Josh Giddey and Philadelphia's Quentin Grimes. 'I look forward to the summer and look forward to those conversations with [other] free agents, and we'll see where it all plays out,' Nets general manager Sean Marks said in April. 'But I do think it's important to be able to keep your homegrown talent.' Thomas received a $5.99 million qualifying offer from the Nets on June 29, signaling their intent to retain him. As a restricted free agent, he can negotiate and sign an offer sheet with any NBA team. But Brooklyn can match any offer, and with most teams lacking significant cap space, Thomas' options are limited, giving the Nets significant leverage. The 23-year-old averaged a career-high 24 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game last season but was limited to 25 games due to injury, leaving experts divided on his worth. The expectation is that Thomas will eventually sign a multi-year contract, likely spanning three to four years, with an annual average value of $20-25 million. 'I know my value,' Thomas told reporters in April. 'I know what I'm worth around the league. It's not really nothing for me to be intimidated or excited about because I know my value that I bring to a team. ... I definitely know I know my value and all my work. I think that's all that matters to me.' Thomas has not spoken extensively about his free agency since the offseason began, but he has been attentive to the discourse surrounding him. Zach Lowe, a prominent NBA analyst, recently discussed Thomas on his podcast, stating: 'The consensus on Cam Thomas — if there is one, with some fans and some mega-detractors — is kind of like 'Empty Calories Ball Hog.' ' As expected, Thomas, confident in his abilities, took Lowe's words personally, though Lowe was merely relaying sentiments from sources. On Friday morning, he responded on social media, posting: 'The consensus? F--- you and the consensus @ZachLowe_NBA. This is most likely the same consensus teams who can't guard me and send double teams from jump ball. Why are we double teaming a guy who's 'not that good' make it make sense please.' Thomas has a point, as do Lowe and his sources, but his offensive output since entering the league is undeniable. He's the youngest NBA player to score 40-plus points in three consecutive games and holds the Nets' record for the most 40-point games by a player 22 or younger. As Nets Wire's Sharif Phillips-Keaton noted, Thomas is among 12 guards who averaged 24.0 points and 3.8 assists per game while shooting at least 43.8% from the field last season, alongside stars like Donovan Mitchell and Stephen Curry.
New York Post
6 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Egor Demin, Danny Wolf come up big to lead Nets to first summer league win
LAS VEGAS — Egor Demin and Danny Wolf had their most impactful games so far in the summer league. It's no coincidence the Nets got their first victory, a 94-90 escape against Orlando. They escaped because Wolf helped the Nets build a 23-point lead, and — after they frittered it away to just one — Demin closed it out with three huge 3-pointers in the final 2:37 to seal the win. 'Just happy for him. Those were big shots. He stepped in, took them and made them,' said Nets assistant Steve Hetzel, who is coaching summer league. 'He probably felt a sense of relief. This is what he's been trying to show everybody, how good of a player he is. 'We asked the guys to just play one full clean game, and I thought we did three quarters. And then obviously the 39 points in the fourth was kind of a mess.' A hot mess. Behind Wolf (18 points, six rebounds, four assists), the Nets built a 23-point cushion. They still led 77-62 before they allowed a 16-2 run to see it shrink to 79-78 with 2:37 left. That's when Demin — who had 14 points, five rebounds and shot 4-of-8 from deep — shook off early struggles and six turnovers to hit three 3-pointers down the stretch. Danny Wolf, who scored 18 points, looks to make a move during the Nets' 94-90 summer league win over the Magic on July 16, 2025. NBAE via Getty Images The Russian calmly drilled the first from the left corner to stem the tide and made it 82-78 with 2:36 left. Then he hit a transition heat check, and finally a dagger to pad it to 91-83 with 33 seconds to play. The Nets saw it out from there. 'Yeah, it's exciting,' said Demin. 'It's cool. After a couple of turnovers in the row I got a little frustrated. Playing off the ball, I got a couple of catch-and-shoots and one in transition. Exciting for me that they want in.' Egor Demin, who scored 14 points, looks to make a play during the Nets' summer league win over the Magic. NBAE via Getty Images 'Our turnovers and some of the mistakes earlier on caused this comeback. Now it's almost like, OK, how can I prove, right? How can I get it back? That was because in theory it was because of me, right? Part of it was mine, part of it was Danny. And we wanted to get it back.' Demin has largely played well on both ends in summer league action, but has been on the wing in few pick-and-rolls, and hasn't penetrated. But he had arguably his favorite dunk with a strong drive in the first quarter. Wolf on the other hand had to shake off struggles. He'd admittedly gotten sped up and came in averaging just six points on 27.3 percent shooting. But starting at center for the first time with Drew Timme sitting (along with Ben Saraf and Nolan Traoré), Wolf benefitted from better spacing. And slowing himself down. 'I was just a little bit too sped up,' Wolf said. 'I just went into this game with just a more relaxed mindset, just let the game come to me a little bit better and do what I do best and just play a little bit slower. And I think I did that to the best of my ability.'
New York Post
15-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
How Drew Timme's summer league breakout has opened NBA eyes and complicated the Nets' roster plans
LAS VEGAS — Drew Timme came to summer league signed, but not safe. He could be changing that here in Sin City. Along with all the preconceived ideas and premature narratives about whether he's an NBA player. Still very much fighting for his place on Brooklyn's roster, Timme has been far and away the Nets' best player here in Las Vegas. The big man is in the early running for MVP of the event, and to prove he belongs in the league. It's something he's not taking for granted.
New York Post
13-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
What Nets' Danny Wolf blames for rough Summer League debut
LAS VEGAS — Danny Wolf's highlight reels and passing chops had him as perhaps the Nets rookie that basketball junkies were most looking forward to seeing. The first-round pick's summer league debut left a lot to be desired. He had just four points on 0-for-5 shooting in Thursday's 90-81 loss to the Thunder. 'Definitely not what I was hoping for by any means. Just got to put it in the rearview mirror, and move on. Just had to get my feet wet a little bit, but move on from this game and just get back,' said Wolf, acknowledging first-game jitters. 'I mean, it's my first experience in the NBA, and obviously it's summer league, but it's different. Definitely some jitters and again, just got to put this in the rearview and learn from it. Just get better from this.' Wolf was the best passing big man in this year's class coming out of Michigan. When he fell to Brooklyn at No. 27, he seemed to fit the high-basketball feel ethos they're leaning into. But in the opening loss to the Thunder, he had just two assists against four turnovers. 'I think it's one game, and the Thunder did a job of speeding us up. They switched everything and just kind of got under us and kind of played into the pressure a little bit,' Wolf said. 'It's just kind of letting the game come to me a little bit better. Again, it was my first experience, and I kind of got sped up far too quickly and far too easily, and I know I'll be better next game.' Danny Wolf takes a shot during the Nets' Summer League loss on July 10, 2025. AP Wolf — who started at power forward, alongside center Drew Timme — will get another shot Sunday against Washington. Measuring 6-foot-10 ½ barefoot at the NBA Draft Combine and 251.8 pounds, he's a much bigger version of Trendon Watford and can serve some of the same point-forward role as the departed free agent did — albeit in his own way. Danny Wolf takes throws a pass during the Nets' Summer League loss to the Thunder on July 10, 2025.' Getty Images 'I think I want Danny to be Danny. I don't want Danny to be Trendon,' coach Jordi Fernández said. 'Once again, I wanna see how he adjusts to the NBA. I wanna see him playing real minutes when he earns it and when the team needs it. 'Shooting ability, playmaking, touching the paint, size, all those things are just positives. And then once we see it with the rest of the teammates all combined, we'll see how he plays. He's gonna have his goals and his role definition. There's gonna be things that he's gonna have to improve, like his rim finishing and adjusting to the 3-point line. But we know that he's gonna work, we know that he's about the right things, and we know that he's gonna get better.' Ben Saraf struggled as well in his debut, with just three points on 1-for-5 shooting, two assists and two turnovers in 17:35 running the second unit. The Israeli guard finished a minus-11. Grant Nelson had five points and two rebounds backing up Timme. The center from Alabama went undrafted but is vying for the last two-way spot.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kevin Durant Takes A Cheeky Shot At Michael Jordan While Praising LeBron James' Longevity
Kevin Durant Takes A Cheeky Shot At Michael Jordan While Praising LeBron James' Longevity originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Kevin Durant isn't one to shy away from giving props when it's due, especially when it comes to greatness. But on the latest episode of the Mind The Game podcast, alongside LeBron James and Steve Nash, the two-time NBA champion and all-time scoring machine dropped what can only be described as a sly, cheeky jab at Michael Jordan, all while giving high praise to LeBron's unmatched longevity. Advertisement While discussing the mental and emotional demands of building a legendary career, Durant reflected on the lessons he learned from watching legends and those who fell short of their potential. "It's hard for you to, you know, be ready for what's ahead. Like, I've seen guys, like you guys, you drove me every day. I'd go watch your games, check your box scores. I'm like, 'All right, if he's on that level, why can't I try to be at that same level too?'" Durant emphasized that greatness isn't simply about talent or accolades. It's about the willingness to recommit over and over again, even when your trophy case is full. That's when he slipped in the line that raised eyebrows: "Like, all right, yeah, I'm 10, 12 years in. I got four MVPs, four championships. But do I still want to do this s**t? You know what I'm saying? Some people say, 'I want to go play baseball,' and then they come back. Other people say, 'I'm going to go 22 straight.' You know what I'm saying?' It didn't take a genius to connect the dots. The 'some people want to play baseball' remark was a clear reference to Michael Jordan, who famously left the NBA in 1993 during his prime to pursue a brief career in minor league baseball before returning to the Chicago Bulls in 1995. Advertisement And the follow-up, 'other people go 22 straight', was a crown-polishing moment for LeBron James, who is now entering his 23rd NBA season and has never taken a break from the game. No retirements. No sabbaticals. Just relentless basketball excellence for over two decades. Durant's point wasn't necessarily to diminish Jordan's legacy, but to highlight the brutal, often underappreciated mental grind it takes to stay fully committed for 20-plus years, something LeBron has uniquely done. It was a reflective moment, but also a subtle reshaping of the GOAT conversation. Jordan's six rings may be untouchable for some, but Durant was clearly placing a different kind of value on career endurance, the kind LeBron embodies and MJ, in Durant's view, stepped away from when things got hard. LeBron, for his part, sat back and laughed, not needing to say a word. After all, when Kevin Durant is out here casually drawing lines between you and Michael Jordan, and choosing your side? That says more than enough. Advertisement Related: "So Much Bull*** Going Around": Kevin Durant Gets Real With Steve Nash On Nets' Superteam Failure This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
