Fresh off the heels of an embarrassing loss to the 76ers, the Nets went into Sacramento and picked up a gutsy 108-103 victory over the Kings. With the win, the Nets move to 7-10 on the year, while the Kings drop to 8-9. Here are three takeaways from the Nets victory in Sacramento.
1: The Nets should hold onto Cam Thomas long term
Another game, another masterful scoring performance for Cam Thomas. After failing to score over 20 points in his last two games, Thomas dialed back in for Brooklyn on Sunday. Thomas contributed a team-high 34 points on 11 of 22 from the field. Of Thomas’ 22 field goal attempts, they shot 10 three-pointers and made four of them. Thomas also chipped in six assists.
Earlier this week, Thomas was mentioned as a potential trade piece for the Nets after the teams were unable to come to terms on a new contract this past summer. However, for the Nets, this would be a major mistake. Thomas is the first Nets star that was drafted by the team since Brook Lopez, and moving off of a fan-favorite homegrown player.
Thomas is a dynamic scorer, and at only 23 years old, building around him as opposed to trading him for even more first-round picks wouldn’t make much sense for a rebuilding Nets team with plenty of first as-is. With an RFA this summer, the Nets will be able to match any contract offered to Thomas, keeping him in Brooklyn for the foreseeable future.
2: Claxton is key
After missing time due to injury, Nic Claxton returned to the Nets lineup on Friday against Philly, and was a big part of a big Nets win on Sunday. In 23 minutes played, Claxton scored four points, grabbed seven rebounds, tallied three assists, two blocks and a steal. When he’s on the floor, he provides perhaps the best interior defense in the league, and while the scoring wasn’t there last night, Claxton is averaging 8.2 points per game on 61.5% from the field.
After being selected with the first pick in the second round of the 2019 draft, Claxton has created a strong career for himself, signing a four year 97 million dollar extension this past summer. With a strong foundation inside, the Nets found their best center since Jarrett Allen, and a five for the foreseeable future.
3: Rebuilders or Revengers?
When the Nets entered the season, no one knew what they would be. Would they be a bottom-feeding team that would be in the thick of the NBA draft lottery? Or would they be a fringe playoff team? At times this season, they’ve looked like both of those options, from the highs of victories over the Bucks, Kings, and Pelicans. To lows of back-to-back losses to the Knicks and a blowout defeat to the three-win Philadelphia 76ers. The Nets still haven’t fully answered that question a quarter into the season.
The Nets’ current road trip could very well make that decision easier for them. With difficult games against the Warriors and Suns up next, losses in both would drop the Nets to five games under .500. However, an upset win in either game could keep them within striking distance of a play-in or playoff spot.
It is not in the Nets’ best interest to stand pat at the trade deadline. So, a decision on how they plan to move forward this season will likely be made sooner rather than later.
