The Los Angeles Lakers have their eye on a scoring guard to bolster their roster ahead of the February trade deadline, with the Brooklyn Nets' Cam Thomas emerging as a prime target. Thomas has shown his prowess as a scorer, averaging 22.5 points per game last season. As a restricted free agent this summer, he could be a realistic option for the Lakers, although there are questions about his potential re-signing. The Nets' ongoing rebuilding phase could increase his scoring chances but complicate his future with the franchise. With other big-name players linked to the Lakers, the search for an impactful scorer is becoming increasingly intense.

Through the numbers

• Cam Thomas averaged 22.5 points per game last season.
• He dropped 36 points in his 2024-25 season opener against the Atlanta Hawks.

Yes but

Although Cam Thomas is a promising scorer, his future with the Nets is uncertain as the team may decide to let him try out as a free agent. Additionally, his acquisition would have to deal with complex salary cap implications and potential competition from other teams.

state of affairs

• The Lakers are actively looking for improvements ahead of the trade deadline.
• The Nets are in a rebuilding phase, which impacts their player retention decisions.

What's next?

As the trade deadline approaches, the Lakers could intensify talks on Cam Thomas if they deem him a strategic fit despite potential future salary cap challenges. Keep an eye on other potential trade targets as the team evaluates its options.

Conclusion

The Lakers' pursuit of Cam Thomas reflects their pressing need for scoring depth, but navigating his contract situation and the competitive market will be critical to a successful trade. His acquisition could have an immediate impact, although future challenges lie ahead.