High-scoring guard Cam Thomas has chosen his next team, agreeing to a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks for the remainder of the 2025–26 season after reaching the buyout market.
Thomas had been playing on a one-year, $5.9 million qualifying offer with the Brooklyn Nets, but with Brooklyn clearly headed toward a rebuild, a buyout allowed him to join a contender while giving the Nets better lottery positioning.
Why Milwaukee?
Thomas said the Bucks’ long-standing interest played a major role:
“I picked Milwaukee because they wanted me… they told me they've been interested for years.”
Milwaukee is trying to stay afloat in the East playoff race despite an underwhelming 21–29 record and an ongoing calf injury to Giannis Antetokounmpo. The team currently sits just outside the Play-In picture.
For the Bucks, the move is a low-risk scoring boost:
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They desperately need perimeter shot creation
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Thomas can carry second units offensively
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He reduces the scoring burden when Giannis returns
What Cam Thomas brings
Over the last three seasons, Thomas has averaged 21.4 points per game, establishing himself as one of the league’s most aggressive volume scorers. His strengths:
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Elite self-creation
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Tough midrange shot-making
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Ability to heat up quickly off the bench or as a starter
The concerns:
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Limited playmaking
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Defensive inconsistency
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Durability (just 24 games this season, 25 last year)
Does this move change Milwaukee’s outlook?
It helps — but it doesn’t guarantee a playoff run.
Best-case scenario
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Giannis returns healthy
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Thomas becomes a reliable second scoring option
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Bucks climb into the Play-In
Realistic scenario
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Offensive boost, but defensive and depth issues remain
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Play-In race goes down to the final weeks
Still, for a team short on creators, adding a 20-point scorer on a buyout deal is a smart swing.
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