Overview

• ESPN reports Thomas chose the qualifying offer, becoming the first of the remaining restricted free agents to make a decision.
• His agents declined offers that included two years at $30 million with a team option and a one-year $9.5 million deal with incentives up to $11 million tied to waiving trade veto rights.
• With most teams limited to the roughly $14.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception, outside offer sheets were constrained and Brooklyn held leverage.
• Thomas appeared in 25 games last season due to hamstring issues but averaged 24.0 points and was double-teamed on 18% of his touches, per GeniusIQ.
• The qualifying-offer signing reduces his cap hold to about $6 million, giving Brooklyn additional flexibility, and league projections point to 10 or more teams with cap space in 2026.