How much is Cam Thomas fined by NBA for using anti-gay slur?
Cam Thomas is one of the few bright spots for the Brooklyn Nets in the 2022-23 season. The Nets, who have dealt with a lot of drama over the last few years, lost both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving this week.
Thomas, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard in his second season out of LSU, has been great, however. Unfortunately for him, he was fined by the NBA for using an anti-gay slur after the Nets defeated the Chicago Bulls 116-105 on Thursday.
The guard was too excited after the victory and said a few controversial things on live television. The league quickly reacted and fined him $40,000.
Cam Thomas was fined by the NBA, but he apologized for his comments
Earlier this week, Thomas (21 years, 120 days old as of Friday) became the youngest player in NBA history to score at least 40 points in three consecutive games. After Irving requested a trade a week ago, the young player received a much bigger role and he's excelled in it.
However, the second-year guard was fined $40,000 for his comments after the victory over the Bulls. Thomas was fined for the remark he made during his postgame interview alongside Spencer Dinwiddie.
NBA fines Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas $40,000 for using derogatory and disparaging remark during last night’s postgame interview. twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
Dinwiddie, who had already played for the Nets, was traded back to Brooklyn on Sunday in the deal that sent Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks. In his first game since the trade, Spencer led the Nets with 25 points.
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After the game, Dinwiddie joked that the Nets didn't receive the best trade package, but that they (Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith) were the best-looking and that the Nets needed help in that area.
"We already had good-looking guys, no h***," Thomas said, jokingly disagreeing with his teammate's comment.
Unfortunately for him, the NBA took his remark seriously and fined him $40,000. Cam Thomas makes $2.1 million this season and is one of the lowest-paid players in the entire league.
While he will be able to pay the fine without any problems, he will have to be careful with his comments. Considering how great he has been lately, we will most likely see him in the spotlight many more times.
Thomas apologizes for insensitive comments
Cam Thomas understands that he shouldn't have said those things at the end of the game, which is why he apologized. The Brooklyn Nets guard posted an apology on his Twitter profile.
The second-year player was just being playful and didn't want to offend anyone, he said in his apology.
I want to apologize for the insensitive word I used in the post-game interview. I was excited about the win and was being playful. I definitely didn't intend to offend anyone, but realize that I probably did. My apologies again. Much love 🫶🏽❤️
Thomas has been incredible over the past six games. Since receiving a bigger role, he's averaged 32.3 points on 50.0% shooting. The talented guard has also been on fire from 3-point range, converting 46.5% of his long-range shots.
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He has two more years left on his team-friendly deal and will be paid only around $4 million in the final year of it. This is perfect for the Nets, who may have found their next star player.