Cam Thomas Joins the Bucks: A Fresh Start with Real Opportunity in Milwaukee
Cam Thomas is getting a new chapter-and it might be exactly what he needs.
After being selected 27th overall by the Brooklyn Nets, Thomas spent five seasons in black and white, logging 239 games and 88 starts. But following the trade deadline, Brooklyn cut ties with the 24-year-old guard, releasing him after a season marred by injuries and limited opportunity.
Now, he’s headed to Milwaukee, where the Bucks are betting on his scoring punch to add depth and firepower to a roster built to contend.
A Fresh Start in Cream City
Thomas didn’t stay on the market long. The Milwaukee Bucks moved quickly, reaching a deal with the former Net just days after his release. For Thomas, the decision to sign in Milwaukee wasn’t just about minutes or money-it was about feeling wanted.
“I picked Milwaukee because they wanted me and they told me they’ve been interested for years now,” Thomas said. “So, it’s good to have this opportunity come to fruition. And I’m just hoping to meet everybody, get to know everybody and contribute as soon as possible.”
That sense of belief matters. Especially for a player like Thomas, who’s shown flashes of elite scoring ability but hasn’t always had the runway to fully take off.
What the Bucks Are Getting
Let’s be clear: Cam Thomas can score.
Over the past three seasons in Brooklyn, he averaged 21.4 points per game-numbers that jump off the page, especially considering many of those performances came in inconsistent roles. He’s a true three-level scorer who can create his own shot, get to the rim, and knock down tough jumpers. When he gets hot, he really gets hot-just ask any team that’s tried to contain him during one of his scoring outbursts.
But his time in Brooklyn was never quite stable. This season alone, he missed 20 straight games with a hamstring injury and appeared in just 24 contests, starting eight.
Even before the injury, it was clear he wasn’t in the Nets’ long-term plans. After contract negotiations fell through, he played on a one-year qualifying offer for 2025-26 and became expendable at the deadline when no trade materialized.
Now, Milwaukee is giving him a shot. And it’s a smart move.
Fit with the Bucks
Under head coach Doc Rivers, the Bucks are looking to retool around their core while strengthening their bench. Thomas brings instant offense-something Milwaukee could use, especially in second-unit stretches when Giannis Antetokounmpo or Damian Lillard are off the floor.
He won’t be asked to carry the load, but that’s part of what makes this such an intriguing fit. In Milwaukee, Thomas can focus on what he does best: scoring in bunches and applying pressure on opposing defenses. He’ll likely start out as a bench spark, but if he finds his rhythm and buys into the system, there’s a real path to increased minutes-and maybe even spot starts.
It’s also worth noting that Rivers has a track record of getting the most out of scoring guards. If Thomas can lock in defensively and grow as a decision-maker, there’s no reason he can’t carve out a meaningful role on a playoff-caliber team.
The Bottom Line
This is a low-risk, high-reward move for the Bucks-and a golden opportunity for Cam Thomas.
At just 24 years old, he’s still scratching the surface of what he can become in the league. The talent is there.
The question has always been about fit, consistency, and opportunity. In Milwaukee, he might finally have all three.
And if he delivers? The Bucks just added another weapon to an already-loaded arsenal.