Brooklyn Nets: 3 bench players who must step up in 2021-22

2. Cam Thomas 

Cam Thomas comes onto the scene as a major help for the bench after his performance in the NBA Summer League this season. His performance was so impactful that it landed him a Co-MVP title for the 2021 Tournament in Las Vegas.

Thomas raised eyebrows when he racked up a scoring average of 27 points per game throughout his time in summer ball. His dominance was clearly felt over the summer, and will definitely be needed to provide the exact depth in the “playing small” approach I mentioned earlier.

While playing small may not always be the primary option, it may play to their advantage when they need to move with speed, something Irving and Harden embody quite nicely.

With Thomas, a younger and entirely fresh player, able to step in and be NBA-ready from Day 1 (or so we hope…), Brooklyn’s constant pace might never slow down. Not saying that Durant, Harden, Mills, etc. can’t hang…but to provide relief to your seasoned players and keep opponents on their toes at all times, Thomas could be a gift. Not only was he a steal in the draft, but he’ll be a major weapon in the team’s rotation this regular season.

From a guard perspective, the depth is there and ready to be delved into. But in regard to the front court, there’s one more player who can make things shake from the bench if given the opportunity.