These Are the Players That Cam Thomas Thinks He Should Be Paid Like

According to the New York Post, Brooklyn Nets free agent Cam Thomas thinks he is on the level of a few stars who have already received large contract extensions. 

It is not fun to be a restricted free agent in the NBA, as the team that holds your rights holds all of the cards. And those teams are usually unwilling to offer the players a big contract until they show what they are worth on the open market. 

If you just look at Cam Thomas' surface numbers with the Nets, one would think the team would be willing to pay him. The shooting guard scored 24 points a game for Brooklyn last year while also notching career highs in rebounds with 3.3 and assists with 3.8. These numbers, Thomas believes, should put him in the same category as three other players. 

The New York Post writes: 

"A source familiar with Cam Thomas’ thinking said he does not consider himself inferior to Immanuel Quickly ($32.5 million this season), Tyler Herro ($31 million) or R.J. Barrett ($27.3 million)." 

While Thomas may score more points a game than any of the players listed, they all do certain things on the court better than he does. Quickley can run the point for Toronto and also plays strong defense. Herro is a dead-eye shooter from three who can take over a game. And Barrett is a stat stuffer who contributes on the court in multiple ways. 

Thomas just hasn't gotten the kind of offer he was hoping for from the market and it seems that the Nets still make the most sense for him. Expect a compromise soon.