Cam Thomas’ minutes won’t get a boost even as Nets coach praises play

Jordi Fernandez was happy with Cam Thomas’ playmaking, and isn’t worried about his shotmaking.

But the guard’s playing time isn’t going up anytime soon.

Thomas – who was the Nets’ leading scorer last season, and had been a fixture in the starting lineup – has been a reserve ever since returning from another hamstring injury on Dec. 27. He came off the bench for a tenth straight appearance on Sunday, logging 23:58; and Fernandez said his playing time isn’t about to increase.

“Yeah, right now we’re happy where he is, with the minutes he’s playing with the production, being that willing playmaker; because we know how good he is scoring the basketball, and taking those steps defensively,” Fernandez said before the Nets’ 124-102 loss in Chicago.

“Right now we’re happy where he is. We need him to stay in those minutes a little longer because I, we, just believe what’s most important right now is his body, and (how) his body reacts. And we’re gonna be cautious with that.”

Thomas played just 25 games last season due to three hamstring injuries, then he hurt the same hamstring earlier this season in Indiana.

Since his return, Thomas has averaged a dozen points on .408 shooting and .340 from deep in 22.5 minutes. He handed out a career-high tying ten assists Sunday in Chicago; but he had just three points on 1-of-6 shooting in a loss where the Nets desperately needed him to replace absent Michael Porter Jr.’s missing offense.

“Yeah, I mean I’m not going to believe that he’s going to go 1-for-6 ever again. So I’m ok with him taking those shots,” said Fernandez. “But the ability, he proved that, ten assists to one turnover, that’s elite. And he’s more than capable of doing it. He can see the game. He’s a smart player.

“They’re being aggressive in coverages, and he’s found his teammates. And his teammates made the shot. So very proud of him and the way he played. He shared the basketball, made this simple play over and over and over. And that’s the CT with playmaking that we want to see.”

The Nets are 8-12 without Thomas, but just 4-16 with him — and one of those was a win in his 5:35 cameo at Indiana. 

“He’s been sticking with it. He’s had a little bit of a stretch. But like you said just him staying engaged, staying sticking through it with us,” said Nic Claxton. “And if it’s his process as well, you know he’ll start knocking down those shots.”