Cam Thomas
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Cam Thomas of the Brooklyn Nets has only played in 18 games so far this season.
As the Milwaukee Bucks accept their struggles in 2025-2026, they chose to move on from one of their buyout market acquisitions, cutting ties with Cam Thomas.
After waiving Thomas earlier this week, the Bucks converted the developmental prospect, Pete Nance, to a standard contract.
Now, Thomas is an NBA free agent. And if the veteran signs with another team, he won’t be eligible for the playoffs, which makes him a hard sell for a contender.
Former Milwaukee Bucks champion Jeff Teague is a known supporter of Thomas. He was disappointed to hear that Thomas was getting let go, but the situation prompted him to send a short but strong message to Thomas and others in a similar situation.
“No disrespect, it’s all love, but you got to sign them deals, bro,” Teague said of Thomas.
“You feel like you’re getting cheated or they’re shorting you, you need to sign. Solidify it. Kuminga did it! Two years, 24 [million] whatever it was. He got traded, but he still got a chance. It’s guaranteed two years of hoops.”
Cam Thomas Bet Big–The Move Backfired
Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas
GettyFormer Brooklyn Nets guard, Cam Thomas.
Thomas was a homegrown player for the Brooklyn Nets, landing short-term offers from the team heading into the 2025-2026 NBA season.
He wanted something more significant. Therefore, Thomas bet on himself by accepting Brooklyn’s qualifying offer last year, after he failed to garner notable offers outside of New York as a restricted free agent.
The offer that Thomas reportedly turned down was for $30 million over two years (with a team option attached). Thomas lacked leverage in the deal. He ended up with a reported $6 million.
A Look Around The NBA
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 03: Cam Thomas #24 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Barclays Center on November 03, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Thomas was one of three players in that position. Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors had a similar standoff. Kuminga received multiple offers from the Warriors, and they eventually settled on two years, $46.8 million, with $22.5 million guaranteed.
Kuminga was traded midseason to the Atlanta Hawks. He’s been thriving with his new opportunity and is likely to lock down at least $24.3 million for the next season. If not that, he’ll earn a better offer from Atlanta or somebody else in free agency.
Quentin Grimes took a similar route to Thomas with the Philadelphia 76ers. He had high demands, which no team, including the Sixers, met. Eventually, Grimes took an $8.7 million qualifying offer from Philadelphia, hoping to see a better long-term offer in free agency this year.
Grimes is still building his value. He has a role on a postseason contender, averaging 13.9 points (45.2% FG, 32.9% 3PT), 3.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.
Thomas’s opportunity to develop value before the next free agency period likely ends this week, with his value at a new low.
During his 24-game run in Brooklyn this season, Thomas averaged 15.6 points, but did it while shooting just under 40% from the field. From three, Thomas averaged 32.5%. When he got to Milwaukee, Thomas appeared in 18 games. He shot 43.1% from the field and 27.5% from three to average 10.7 points.
The numbers aren’t terrible, but the optics of the situation are. The chances of Thomas gaining a multi-year offer in July are low, which led the 12-year NBA veteran, Jeff Teague, to issue players in that position a strong reminder: take the money when the future is uncertain and the demand is low.