Nets’ Cam Thomas insists he’s not worried about the contract situation

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Just because Cam Thomas is the Nets’ leading returning scorer doesn’t mean he’ll be back.

Thomas will begin a walk-on year as an unrestricted free agent next summer after failing to reach a long-term extension in Brooklyn.

But on the eve of the season – With the Nets opening Wednesday in Charlotte — Thomas insists he’s not worried about his contract, and says it’s not difficult to keep his focus on the field.

“No, it’s easy. I’m not really worried about it. It’ll take care of itself,” Thomas said. “The main goal is just to be on the field and play and be out there. I love playing hoop, I love playing, so that’s the main thing I’m trying to do this year. Whatever happens, happens. I’ll let that take care of itself.”

Thomas led the Nets in scoring last season but was limited to only 25 games due to hamstring injuries.

He returned to camp thin, but claimed it had nothing to do with injury prevention but was purely cosmetic.

“No, it felt the same way, but the look was more so. I didn’t really feel any different,” Thomas said. “Obviously, when you lose some weight, you get a little faster. I felt like I was kind of fast last year, but I feel like I’m faster this year, somewhat. But, no, I didn’t really feel any different. I felt good, just ready to go.”

Thomas struggled in the preseason by his standards, averaging just 13.3 points and shooting 39 percent overall and 15.4 percent from deep.

But Brooklyn finally finished putting together sets for both Thomas and Michael Porter Jr., and coach Jordi Fernandez expresses confidence in his two biggest offensive threats.

“We are doing everything the team needs at the moment, and obviously when you are at the beginning of the season, there is a lot you can do, and my job is to determine what that process looks like,” Fernandes said. “I’m pretty sure that day (Porter) made 20 shots and 10 3s, so I think it’s working out very well for him.

“Same with CT, he had six assists and two turnovers. He didn’t shoot either, but I want him to be aggressive because I know he’s going to go in. So I’m not concerned with how many plays or sets I have for each one of them. They’re doing a very good job and they’ll be very impactful if they see the floor on both ends and put in the effort defensively. I’m very happy.”

After being plagued by injuries last season, the Nets head into Wednesday’s opener healthy with all players available against the Hornets except Haywood Highsmith (knee).