The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to former Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas in rumors following the February 5 trade deadline, sparking speculation about a potential signing. However, despite reports suggesting a two-year deal with Thomas, the Lakers have not officially added him to their roster as they explore options on the buyout market.
Clarifying the Rumors Around Cam Thomas and Lakers’ Plans
At the recent NBA trade deadline, the Lakers made only minor roster adjustments, notably trading Gabe Vincent and a second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks for Luke Kennard. With this deal secured, attention shifted towards monitoring available players on the buyout market, where Cam Thomas’s name surfaced. Social media posts, such as one from Basketball Rush claiming a signing, fueled the misunderstanding. However, these announcements lack confirmation from Lakers’ management or league sources.
According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, the Lakers are carefully assessing buyout candidates to reinforce their lineup ahead of the postseason.
Next will be evaluating a group of buyout candidates. Team and league sources say wing Haywood Highsmith is a player of interest, provided his knee issues are resolved,
Woike reported.
Cam Thomas, his former Nets teammate, is another more polarizing option.
Cam Thomas was waived by the Brooklyn Nets recently, bringing an end to his five-year tenure with the team. The Lakers’ cautious approach to add missing pieces reflects their broader strategy to maximize depth without making major trades.
Cam Thomas’s Performance Profile and Injury History
During his time with Brooklyn, Thomas displayed notable scoring ability but faced challenges in consistency and health. Over the current season, he averaged 15.6 points per game on 39.9% shooting overall with 32.5% accuracy from three-point range, alongside 3.1 assists and 1.8 rebounds in about 24 minutes per contest. Yet, his season was interrupted by a left hamstring injury that sidelined him for six weeks from early November to late December, with minutes gradually managed after his return.
In the previous two seasons, Thomas showcased his scoring talent more prominently, averaging 22.9 points, shooting 44.1% from the field and 35.9% from beyond the arc. Despite these numbers, his injury limited him to 25 games last season.
Assessing What Cam Thomas Offers the Lakers
At just 24 years old, Thomas is recognized as a dynamic scorer capable of dominating offensively, having achieved nine 40-plus point games throughout his Brooklyn career. However, his playing style is often described as polarizing. Many teams have preferred to use him in a more restricted role due to concerns about his playmaking and defensive contributions. His averages with Brooklyn included 15.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, highlighting scoring prowess but limited facilitation for teammates.
Thomas’s injury history and perceived defensive weaknesses have tempered broader market enthusiasm. Last offseason, he exercised a $5.9 million qualifying offer, betting on his future potential, but despite this, meaningful trade interest did not materialize. New York Post columnist Brian Lewis characterized his departure from the Nets pointedly:
Thomas’ poor playmaking, worse defense, and injury history combined to end his time with the Nets.
Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic described Thomas as consistently divisive among scouts and executives:
has always been a divisive player among opposing scouts and league executives.
Thomas is known for taking on a high volume of possessions and can deliver sudden scoring bursts, though his defensive limitations are a recurring issue. The Brooklyn Nets’ record illustrates the mixed impact of his presence, with the team performing better in games where he played limited minutes: a 4-19 record when he logged significant minutes compared to 9-17 when he was off the court.
Implications for the Lakers and Their Scoring Challenges
The Lakers currently struggle to generate offense from their bench, averaging only 28 points per game, the lowest in the NBA. This scoring deficiency has heightened rumors about potential acquisitions like Cam Thomas, who could help fill that gap despite his flaws. While the latest reports about a formal two-year deal with Thomas are false, his offensive skills continue to make him an intriguing option should the Lakers decide to pursue buyout candidates further.
Ultimately, adding Thomas could represent a gamble. The Lakers would gain a capable offensive weapon but would need to manage his defensive liabilities and injury risks carefully. How the team chooses to address short-term needs while preparing for the playoffs will reveal whether Thomas becomes a realistic fit or just part of trade and rumor cycles.
