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Nets Importance Rankings: Who are Brooklyn’s top 5 players?

By Jed Katz

Oct 25, 2023; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) fights for a loose ball against Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges (1) and guard Ben Simmons (10) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2023; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) fights for a loose ball against Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges (1) and guard Ben Simmons (10) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 30, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA;Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (24) drives to the basket against Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier (3) during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA;Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (24) drives to the basket against Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier (3) during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Cam Thomas

Cam Thomas’s numbers through the first three games of the season can be deceiving. He’s averaging 28.0 points on 51.3% shooting. As of right now, Thomas has the highest-scoring average of any bench player ever, and it’ll likely decrease as the season goes on, but that’s highly impressive for a third-year guy with a career average of less than 18 minutes played per game.

That said, Thomas’s numbers haven’t necessarily translated to wins thus far. The Nets have kept it close with solid teams like Dallas and Cleveland, but in the season opener, Thomas showed his immaturity, forcing a step-back fadeaway that fell short and sealed the deal for the Cavaliers.

In Brooklyn’s recent win against the Miami Heat, Thomas shot just 4-19 with 13 points, proving that while his scoring adds value, the Nets don’t need 30-bombs from him to win. Right now, Thomas is a one-dimensional player, with scoring as his most valuable trait. What’s holding him back from having a significant impact in Brooklyn is his defense and passing ability.

Perhaps it’s just his youth showing, and there’s more time for him to develop, but the LSU guard has gotten off to a scorching hot start this season. He could certainly be in the running for NBA Sixth Man of the Year if he can produce just half of what he’s shown thus far.

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