The Milwaukee Bucks surprised everyone by adding free agent guard Cam Thomas shortly after the conclusion of the 2026 NBA trade deadline. Thomas was released by the Brooklyn Nets at the deadline and was the hot commodity for teams trying to finish out their roster building. A player who once had a legitimate All-Star effort not long ago, Thomas has now chosen the Bucks and is looking to help the team fight back into playoff contention. What can fans expect from the exciting scoring guard?
Nov 24, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (24) is interviewed after defeating the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Cam Thomas’s Turbulent 2026 Sees Him Land With Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks have added some significant scoring punch to the roster with former Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas joining the team following his release from the Brooklyn Nets. Thomas has averaged over 20 points per game each of the last two seasons and is a proven bucket-getter.
Thomas was available due to being waived by the Nets. A player many figured to be a valuable asset at the trade deadline or an expensive upcoming free agent, Thomas was released after the Nets evidently could not find anyone willing to make a trade for him.
Oct 27, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (24) drives past Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. (5) and forward Taurean Prince (12) in the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
It’s been a frustrating year in Brooklyn for Thomas, who has made headlines this year for some of the wrong reasons. Earlier this year, he was benched by coach Jordi Fernández after he decided against shooting the ball at the end of the shot clock and instead passed to a teammate who had practically no chance at getting a shot off instead.
Cam Thomas got benched after protecting his FG % in the first quarter 😭💀 pic.twitter.com/ilywK9MUcR
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 24, 2026
Whether fairly or unfairly, Thomas has carried with him a reputation of not being a “winning player” throughout his career. As NBA expert Zach Lowe once put it, some feel he is an “Empty Calories Ball Hog” whose impressive statistical numbers do not actually contribute to positive outcomes for his team. With a change of scenery, Thomas now has the chance to work at rewriting this narrative.
Inspecting Cam Thomas’ Player Profile
Last season, Thomas averaged 24 points per game on decent efficiency, causing some to laud him as a future All-Star. This year, he has had a drop in minutes that has caused a drop in statistical production as well. Playing almost ten less minutes per game than last year, Thomas is now averaging 15.6 points per game, under 2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists.
Jan 2, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (24) puts up a shot against Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton (24) in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Inspecting his stats via a per-36-minutes view shows that Thomas’ efficiency has dropped this year as well.
2024-25: 27.6 points on 44-35-88 shooting splits
2025-26: 23.2 points on 40-32-84 shooting splits
The former LSU Tiger is a player who can really heat up from the field but does not offer a team much else. He is a net negative on defense (-3.3 defensive box plus/minus), not an impactful playmaker (25th percentile in shot creation for teammates), and struggles to make an impact offensively when not handling the ball.
Nov 6, 2023; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (24) looks for an opening against Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
That all being said, he is a player who has the ability to really show out on offense. Thomas has scored 40 points ten times in his career. He has a proven ability to score with a high usage rate (94th percentile in offensive load this year), particularly out of pick-and-roll, dribble handoffs, and in isolation (these three actions account for 60% of his usage). Although he’s far from the most efficient scorer, his offensive talent and ability cannot be questioned. The trick is to harness them in a way that can support team success.
What Can Fans Expect From Cam Thomas on the Milwaukee Bucks?
Thomas’ career ascension has coincided with the Nets undergoing an aggressive tank, meaning he has never really played on an NBA team that is doing its best to win games, With Giannis Antetokounmpo still around and no draft picks on the horizon, the 2026 Bucks need to find some momentum and try to make the playoffs down the stretch. A lot of this depends on Thomas being a productive player, and of course, Giannis returning from injury. Thomas’ usage rate will be much lower than he is used to when Antetokounmpo returns to action, meaning he has to adjust his game away from being the primary option.
Feb 4, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during warmups prior to the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
In the backcourt, Ryan Rollins and AJ Green have been two of Milwaukee’s best players this year. Although Rollins is a good defender, he is only 6 foot 3. Thomas is the same height, meaning the Bucks would be quite undersized if Thomas were to play next to Rollins in the starting lineup. A more likely outcome is Thomas backs up Green, partnering with Kevin Porter Jr. to give Milwaukee a talented pair of guards off the bench.
Doc Rivers has experience working with one-dimensional scoring guards in his career. Both Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams are known almost exclusively for being prolific shot-makers off the bench. That is the best-case scenario for Thomas in Milwaukee barring a revolutionary adjustment to his playstyle. The Bucks have the rest of the season to determine if Thomas is a long-term fit.
Jan 11, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers looks on in the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
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