Cam Thomas entered the 2025-26 season with something to prove. After re-signing with the Brooklyn Nets on a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer, the 24-year-old guard was betting on himself - and the Nets were hoping he’d build on the flashes of offensive brilliance he showed when healthy last year.
But as we approach the trade deadline, Thomas’ name is surfacing in talks - and not just in passing. According to league sources, the Milwaukee Bucks have been eyeing the Nets guard as a potential trade target. The Bucks, who are reportedly exploring ways to upgrade around the edges of their roster without crossing the luxury tax threshold, are considering players like Thomas as part of a broader strategy to either add upside talent or gain draft capital by helping teams shed salary.
Milwaukee’s approach has been to leverage their veteran minimum contracts in trade discussions, aiming to bring in higher-paid players who still fit within their financial framework. Thomas fits that mold: a young scorer with clear offensive potential, currently on a manageable deal, and someone who might benefit from a change of scenery.
To be clear, Thomas hasn’t quite hit the stride many hoped for this season. He’s averaging 16.1 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game - respectable numbers, but a step back from his more efficient stretches in the past.
His shooting percentages have taken a dip, hitting just 39.9% from the field and 31.8% from beyond the arc. Some of that regression may be tied to injury.
Thomas started the season in the Nets’ opening lineup, but a left hamstring strain sidelined him just eight games in. He missed 20 straight games, and since returning, he’s been trying to find his rhythm in a rotation that’s still figuring itself out.
Still, the interest from Milwaukee makes sense. For a team that’s reportedly dealing with internal pressure - including rumblings that Giannis Antetokounmpo is growing frustrated with the Bucks’ inability to build a true title contender - adding a dynamic scorer like Thomas could be a calculated swing. He’s young, he can create his own shot, and in the right system, he could thrive as a spark plug off the bench or even in a more expanded role.
Of course, any potential deal involving Thomas wouldn’t be as simple as matching salaries and shaking hands. Because he’s playing on a qualifying offer, Thomas would have to approve any trade. That gives him a degree of control over his immediate future - and it adds a layer of complexity to any negotiations between Brooklyn and Milwaukee.
Still, the fact that Thomas is on Milwaukee’s radar - alongside veteran guard D’Angelo Russell - signals that the Bucks are serious about retooling. Whether that leads to a deal remains to be seen, but with the deadline looming, Brooklyn may have a decision to make: hold onto Thomas in hopes that he rediscovers his scoring groove, or move him while his value still carries intrigue around the league.
Either way, Cam Thomas is a name to watch. And if Milwaukee pulls the trigger, it could be a move that says a lot about where both franchises are headed.