Cam Thomas Is Already Making the Bucks Look Smart - And Dangerous
Well, that didn’t take long.
Two games into his stint with the Milwaukee Bucks, Cam Thomas is already turning heads - and possibly turning the tide for a team that needed a jolt off the bench. After parting ways with Cole Anthony, the Bucks took a swing on scoring upside, and if early signs mean anything, it looks like they connected.
Let’s talk about the moment that’s got Milwaukee buzzing: 34 points, capped off with a buzzer-beater against the Orlando Magic. That’s not just a hot night - that’s a statement. And more importantly, it’s the kind of scoring punch the Bucks have sorely lacked behind Giannis Antetokounmpo.
This isn’t just about box score fireworks, either. What we’re seeing from Thomas is real shot-making - the kind that bends defenses, demands attention, and opens up space for everyone else. For a team that’s often relied on Giannis to bulldoze his way through half-court sets late in games, having a perimeter threat who can create his own shot is a game-changer.
Saying Goodbye to Cole Anthony - And Hello to a Higher Ceiling
Before we go too far down the Cam Thomas hype train, let’s give Cole Anthony his due. He was a reliable spark off the bench, averaging 6.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.
He brought energy, he ran the second unit, and he had his moments. But his ceiling?
Probably a solid sixth man who could hold down minutes while the starters rested.
Cam Thomas? He’s aiming higher.
This is a player who can get hot in a hurry - and stay hot. He’s a three-level scorer with deep pull-up range and a short memory when it comes to missed shots.
That’s a trait you want in a microwave scorer. He’s already shown he can swing quarters - even games - with his offense alone.
And for a contender like Milwaukee, that kind of firepower matters.
The Risk Is Real - But So Is the Reward
Now, let’s be clear: Thomas isn’t a perfect player. Defense has been a major concern throughout his career.
According to Cleaning the Glass, the Nets gave up 6.7 more points per 100 possessions with him on the floor - putting him in the 11th percentile league-wide. That’s not just bad.
That’s near the bottom.
But on the flip side, Brooklyn also scored 4.7 more points per 100 possessions when he played - landing him in the 84th percentile offensively. That’s the trade-off. You’re betting that his scoring can outweigh his defensive shortcomings - or that he can grow into a more disciplined team defender in the right system.
For the Bucks, it’s a calculated gamble. They’ve got the defensive infrastructure - anchored by Giannis and Brook Lopez - to potentially cover for Thomas’ lapses. What they didn’t have, until now, was a true bucket-getter off the bench who could change the tempo of a game.
Early Returns, Big Impact
Two games don’t make a season, but they can tell you something. And what we’ve seen so far is a player who looks like the most natural scorer on the roster not named Giannis.
That’s not an exaggeration. It’s a reflection of how quickly Thomas has made his presence felt.
The Bucks didn’t just swap out one bench guard for another. They made a bet on upside - on a player who, if things click, could be in the Sixth Man of the Year conversation.
That’s not hyperbole. That’s the kind of ceiling Thomas brings if he finds his rhythm and buys in on both ends.
So here we are. The Cole Anthony chapter is closed. The Cam Thomas era is just getting started - and it opened with a 34-point exclamation point.
Milwaukee made a move. And so far, it looks like the right one.
Stay tuned. This could get fun.