Bucks Add Scoring Punch with Cam Thomas
The Milwaukee Bucks have agreed to a deal with free agent guard Cam Thomas, his agent, Tony Ronzone of Wasserman, told ESPN on Sunday, .
The 24-year-old Thomas, who was recently waived by the Brooklyn Nets, is expected to provide an immediate offensive boost to a Bucks team contending with injuries and inconsistency. He has averaged 21.4 points per game over the past three seasons, a scoring output Milwaukee hopes will complement the play of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Thomas’s arrival comes at a critical juncture for the Bucks, who have struggled to maintain offensive production when Antetokounmpo is off the court. Milwaukee boasts an elite offense with Antetokounmpo on the floor, averaging 123.2 points per 100 possessions. However, that number plummets to 109.5 when he’s on the bench – one of the lowest marks in the NBA.
The signing addresses a clear need for scoring options beyond Antetokounmpo, particularly as the team navigates Antetokounmpo’s recovery from a right calf strain. The Bucks have recently won three consecutive games, but remain the 12th seed in the Eastern Conference, trailing the 10th-place Hornets by two games.
Thomas signed a one-year, $5.9 million qualifying offer with the Nets over the summer after being drafted by Brooklyn in 2021. He averaged 15.6 points and 3.1 assists in 24 games this season, but missed the first 20 games due to a left hamstring strain. He previously averaged 24.0 points per game last season, though limited to 25 games due to hamstring issues, and 22.5 points in 66 games in the 2023-24 season.
“I picked Milwaukee because they wanted me and they told me they’ve been interested for years now. 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,” Thomas told Andscape.
While Thomas’s scoring ability is undeniable, his shooting efficiency has been a concern. He is currently shooting 40% from the field and 33% from three-point range. Throughout his career, he has shot 43.5% overall and 34.3% from beyond the arc in 239 games, including 88 starts.
The Bucks had previously explored acquiring Thomas before the trade deadline but were unable to reach an agreement with the Nets, according to sources. The team ultimately decided to hold onto Antetokounmpo while seeking upgrades to the roster, believing they can still contend for a championship with their current core.
Thomas’s release from the Nets followed a somewhat surprising turn of events, particularly after an incident on January 23rd where he was pulled from a game against the Celtics for refusing to shoot when the clock was running down. The Nets and Thomas were unable to agree on a long-term contract extension during the offseason, leading to him accepting the qualifying offer.
The Bucks created an open roster spot for Thomas by trading Amir Coffey and Cole Anthony to Phoenix and acquiring Ousmane Dieng from Chicago.
