Could the Bucks Be a Landing Spot for Cam Thomas? Here’s Why It Actually Makes Sense
The Milwaukee Bucks have been sniffing around Cam Thomas for a while now, and with the young guard officially on the free-agent market, they might be the only team left standing in the room. According to league buzz, Milwaukee showed real interest in acquiring Thomas before the trade deadline but ultimately balked at the idea of giving up draft capital. Now that the price is down to just a roster spot and a minimum contract, the Bucks could be in prime position to take a swing.
Let’s be clear: Thomas isn’t for everyone. In a league that’s trending toward switchable, two-way wings and big guards who can defend multiple positions, Thomas is a bit of a throwback.
He’s a pure scorer-undersized, not known for his defense, and not exactly a playmaker. That profile doesn’t check many boxes for today’s front offices, which explains the lack of widespread interest.
But for Milwaukee? There’s a case to be made.
The Bucks are sitting near the bottom of the league in points per game this season-27th, to be exact. That’s a glaring issue for a team with championship aspirations and a roster built around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
While Thomas isn’t going to fix everything, he does bring one elite skill to the table: getting buckets. Over the last three seasons, he’s averaged 21.4 points, and he’s done it in a variety of ways-pull-ups, floaters, tough finishes, and a knack for heating up in a hurry.
That kind of microwave scoring could be valuable, especially off the bench. The Bucks have struggled to generate offense when their stars sit, and Thomas could provide a spark in those second-unit stretches. Think of him as a potential sixth-man type-someone who can give you 12-15 points on a good night without needing to dominate the ball.
Now, it’s not all upside. There’s a reason no team traded for him, and there’s a reason he’s still unsigned.
His defense is a concern, and he hasn’t shown much growth as a facilitator. But at 24 years old, there’s still room for development.
And on a minimum deal, the risk is minimal. If it doesn’t work out, you move on.
But if it clicks? You’ve added a young scorer to a veteran-heavy roster without giving up a pick or a dollar over the cap.
Of course, there’s the matter of roster space. Pete Nance is reportedly the favorite to land Milwaukee’s final spot, and that could be the deciding factor.
If the Bucks want Thomas, they’d need to either pivot from Nance or find another way to clear room. That’s the current question in the front office: Do they believe enough in Thomas to make that move?
The Lakers were another team floated as a possible fit, given their lack of bench scoring. But instead of pursuing Thomas, they chose to convert two-way guard Kobe Bufkin to a standard deal.
That says a lot. Thomas was available, and L.A. passed-just like everyone else.
And yet, that could be exactly why this is a savvy play for Milwaukee. With no bidding war, no competition, and no pressure, the Bucks can take their time and evaluate whether Thomas is worth the shot.
He wouldn’t cost them flexibility. He wouldn’t cost them future assets.
But he might give them something they desperately need: a young scorer who can create his own shot.
In a season where the Bucks are searching for answers, Thomas could be a low-risk, high-reward experiment. And right now, it looks like Milwaukee is the only team even considering rolling the dice.