3 Nets players who are proving they can take burden off Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant is still being heavily relied on by the Brooklyn Nets, but as the season has worn on, more players have stepped up to put their scoring abilities on display. Especially now that the lineup is shorthanded due to players in the health and safety protocols, the Nets’ supporting cast has had a bigger stage to showcase their talents.

Brooklyn has eight players out in the protocol, plus Joe Harris, who is expected to be out for another few weeks following ankle surgery.

Though the last three games have been postponed, the Nets went 2-1 with a decimated roster. Durant led Brooklyn with 34 points in wins against Toronto and Philadelphia, but he’s been assisted by players who are new to the team this season. And he needs the help because his excessive workload is not sustainable for a full regular season and grueling playoffs.

The Nets are reportedly active on the trade market, with the deadline being Feb. 10. There’s a chance they will bring in a new player or two, or that the team could see Kyrie Irving return.

Given the Nets’ current lineup, let’s look at three players who are proving they can take the burden off KD, who’s averaging 29.7 points and 37 minutes per game.

3 Brooklyn Nets players who can take the burden off Kevin Durant

3. Cam Thomas

Cam Thomas was selected with the No. 27 pick in the 2021 draft. The 20-year-old’s minutes with Brooklyn increased after he scored 46 points for the Long Island Nets on Nov. 20. Since then, he’s played in 358 minutes for the team after previously only having played 38 minutes.

He’s averaging 6.1 points in 23 games. His career-high is 18 points, which came against Houston on Dec. 8. Thomas isn’t even halfway through his first regular season, but he’s already carved out his spot in Brooklyn’s rotation.

His game is steadily improving and you can tell that he’s learning some moves from teammate James Harden.

This isn’t to say that if Durant is unable to play for whatever reason, Thomas will step right in and take over. Regardless of how valuable his minutes have been so far for the Nets, he’s still a rookie. His future is bright and the more experience he gains, the better he’ll perform.

KD’s been referred to as “the teacher” and Thomas “the student.” Thomas is in perhaps the best situation he could’ve hoped for getting to play alongside one of the best to ever step foot on a basketball court.

Thomas is a natural scorer and he’s already making an impression at his young age, so imagine what all he’ll accomplish as this year goes on … and beyond.