Once again in 2025-26, the Brooklyn Nets are tanking for draft position. It will be a third straight season with a sub-.400 winning percentage. More than likely, at 15-40 (.273), they will continue the trend of losing more games each season for a fourth campaign in a row.
Cam Thomas is glad to be gone. Instead, he is contributing to a Milwaukee Bucks team competing for a playoff spot. That partnership is appreciated by both sides.
Nets fans know the team did Thomas dirty
The Bucks have gone 3-1 since signing Thomas off the buyout market. Two of those wins have come against playoff contenders in Orlando and Oklahoma City, both on the road. They carry a three-game win streak into Sunday afternoon’s home game against Toronto. Pouring in 73 points during that span, Thomas is a big reason why.
At 24-30, 11th in the East, the Bucks have their work cut out for them, but their newest arrival is excited to help them get it done.
“Now it’s winning time. I mean, we gotta string together wins,” Thomas said after a 139-118 victory in New Orleans. “That’s what you live for playing in the NBA, playing meaningful basketball. That’s what I miss playing, for a long time, playing meaningful basketball, playing winning basketball. So I’m just happy to be here, happy to win with the guys for sure. But, you know, it’s winning time.”
Oct 27, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (24) takes a three point shot past Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
The message is clear as day: the Nets haven’t won in a long time, not since Kevin Durant left midseason in 2022-23. And Thomas tired of it. His relationship with the team fractured over the course of a drawn-out drama in restricted free agency.
Ultimately, Thomas signed for a $6 million qualifying offer that will make him an unrestricted free agent this summer. Despite his scoring upside, the Nets didn’t prioritize him in their rotations. They had moved on. It wasn’t even all that surprising when Thomas and the franchise agreed to a buyout following the trade deadline, during which Brooklyn had tried to offload him.
Even Nets fans sided with Thomas following his dig at his old’s losing ways.
Cam Thomas takes shots at the Brooklyn Nets.
Deservedly so, I’ve never seen a star player treated worse by their own organization.
pic.twitter.com/BZTmxqzTrg
— NetsFrequent (@Nets_Frequent) February 21, 2026
Thomas wasn’t the only one frustrated with his treatment. On a roster starved for a excitement, for production of any kind, the coaching staff remained reluctant to let him loose as a scorer. Nonetheless, Thomas ended his Nets tenure with 10 career 40-point games.
Over the past two seasons, he averaged 22.9 points per game. But no, the Nets would rather play Terrance Mann and their five first-rounders from last year’s draft. As the losses piled up, Thomas was branded as a losing player due to defensive flaws and a lack of playmaking for teammates.
Feb 20, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Cam Thomas (24) is fouled by New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (2) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
In Milwaukee, he’s done nothing but help the team win. He loves sharing the court with capable shooters; it makes his life so much easier. If this season gets fully turned around, you can count on Thomas being a significant factor.
For More Great Wisconsin Content
Follow me on X at @ezsniper14 and follow us@WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports,click here!