Why the Milwaukee Bucks Took a Gamble on Cam Thomas

The Milwaukee Bucks added a needed offensive piece Sunday, agreeing to a deal with free agent guard Cam Thomas, as ESPN reported, in a move aimed at stabilizing an offense that has struggled to function without Giannis Antetokounmpo on the floor.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Thomas, 24, joins Milwaukee after being waived by the Brooklyn Nets following last week’s trade deadline. He has averaged 21.4 points per game over the past three seasons and brings on-ball shot creation to a Bucks team searching for consistency as the season enters its final stretch.

“I picked Milwaukee because they wanted me and they told me they’ve been interested for years now,” Thomas told Andscape. “So, it’s good to have this opportunity come to fruition. And I’m just hoping to meet everybody, get to know everybody and contribute as soon as possible.”

Where Milwaukee Stands and Why the Move Matters Now

The Bucks enter the stretch run ranked 12th in the Eastern Conference at 25–28, hovering around .500 after a season defined by uneven play and limited continuity. Injuries and lineup instability have left Milwaukee chasing rhythm, particularly on the offensive end.

A recent three-game winning streak — the team’s first of the season — provided a brief lift, but the broader picture remains unchanged. Milwaukee’s margin for error has narrowed, and the priority has shifted from experimentation to functionality.

Within that context, the Thomas signing reflects urgency more than projection. The Bucks are not searching for long-term answers as much as they are immediate relief, particularly during the stretches when Antetokounmpo is unavailable or off the floor.

Shot Creation and Bench Stability

The need is clear in the numbers. With Antetokounmpo on the court, Milwaukee scores 123.2 points per 100 possessions. Without him, that figure drops to 109.5, among the weakest marks in the league.

Thomas addresses that gap directly. He averaged 15.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 24 games this season with Brooklyn while playing through lingering hamstring issues, shooting 39.9% from the field and 32.5% from three. Over the previous two seasons, he averaged more than 20 points per game, largely through pull-ups and self-created looks.

That skill set gives Milwaukee a guard capable of manufacturing offense late in the clock — something the roster has lacked when structure breaks down. It also reshapes the second unit. Milwaukee’s bench has relied heavily on Bobby Portis for scoring, with limited perimeter creation behind him. Thomas profiles as a green-light scorer who can run pick-and-roll, attack switches, and keep bench lineups functional during non-Giannis minutes.

Alongside Antetokounmpo, Thomas offers a pressure-release option. Defenses routinely load the paint against Giannis, daring guards to beat them off the dribble. While Milwaukee remains a strong 3-point shooting team by percentage, much of that success comes on catch-and-shoot looks. Thomas fills a stylistic gap with off-the-bounce shot-making, even if efficiency swings remain part of the profile.

Gilbert Arenas speaks on the Brooklyn Nets waiving Cam Thomas

“In what life have you ever heard of an asset that they don’t want to pay get cut and say go be free.” You put Cam Thomas on the right team he can make an all-star.”
pic.twitter.com/wlNYn8rHll

— NetsKingdom (@NetsKingdomAJ) February 5, 2026

A Calculated Gamble, Reset in a Narrow Window

Thomas’ arrival follows a calculated bet made last summer. Brooklyn offered him a two-year deal worth roughly $30 million and a separate one-year offer of around $9.5 million with incentives. Thomas declined both, opting instead for a one-year, $5.9 million qualifying offer to preserve flexibility and accelerate his path to unrestricted free agency.

The season in Brooklyn proved uneven. Hamstring issues disrupted his availability, questions about his role and efficiency lingered, and the Nets ultimately waived him after the deadline rather than carry him forward.

Now in Milwaukee, Thomas lands in a situation that mirrors the original intent of that gamble: a defined scoring need, meaningful minutes, and competitive stakes. The Bucks remain without Antetokounmpo as he recovers from a right calf strain, though coach Doc Rivers has reiterated there are no plans to shut him down.

For Milwaukee, the move represents a low-risk addition with immediate offensive utility. For Thomas, it offers another chance to turn short-term uncertainty into long-term value — this time on a team that cannot afford wasted possessions or wasted time.