A surprising end to Cam Thomas’ short time in Milwaukee: The Milwaukee Bucks have decided to waive guard Cam Thomas after a brief stint with the team. The move comes just weeks after he joined the franchise during the later part of the season.
Thomas appeared in only 18 games for the Bucks before the team chose to move on. Despite showing flashes of his scoring ability, he never fully secured a consistent role in the team’s rotation.
The decision also allowed Milwaukee to promote another player on the roster to a standard NBA contract, signaling a shift in the team’s roster plans.
Why the Bucks decided to waive Cam Thomas
The roster move was largely influenced by the Bucks’ decision to convert Pete Nance from a two-way contract to a full multi-year NBA deal.
Milwaukee needed roster space to complete that promotion, and Thomas became the player released to make room.
The decision surprised some observers because the Bucks had previously spoken highly of Thomas when he joined the team. Early discussions within the organization even suggested he could become an important offensive piece.
However, the situation changed quickly as the season progressed and the team adjusted its lineup priorities.
Cam Thomas’ performance with the Bucks
During his short spell with the team, Thomas played a limited role off the bench.
Cam Thomas – Milwaukee Bucks statistics
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 18 |
| Points Per Game | 10.6 – 10.7 |
| Assists Per Game | 1.9 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 1.6 |
| Minutes Per Game | 16.6 |
| Field Goal Percentage | .431 |
| Three-Point Percentage | .275 |
| Free Throw Percentage | .754 |
| Turnovers | 1.4 per game |
Thomas was mainly used as a scoring guard. While he produced points in limited minutes, he struggled to establish a steady role in the rotation.
His playing time was significantly lower compared with his earlier role with the Brooklyn Nets, where he averaged over 24 minutes per game.
He also recorded a couple of games where he did not play despite being available, which indicated his position in the lineup was becoming uncertain.
Defensive concerns and role fit
Although Thomas is widely known for his scoring talent, defense has often been viewed as a weaker area of his game.
With the Bucks competing in a tightly contested season, the coaching staff prioritized players who could contribute consistently on both ends of the floor.
Turnovers and defensive limitations made it difficult for Thomas to secure more minutes. As a result, the team eventually decided to change direction with its roster.
Head coach Doc Rivers had earlier compared Thomas’ offensive style to past Sixth Man of the Year winners he coached, highlighting his potential as a scoring spark off the bench.
However, that role never fully materialized during his short stay in Milwaukee.
Injury history also affected his season
Another factor that shaped Thomas’ recent journey was injury trouble earlier in the season.
A hamstring injury interrupted his campaign and slowed down his momentum. The injury had also troubled him in previous seasons and limited his playing time.
At one point, Thomas had shown strong scoring form, averaging around 24 points per game during a previous stretch before injuries disrupted his progress.
These recurring physical setbacks made it harder for him to regain consistency.
Pete Nance earns promotion to standard contract
While Thomas exits the roster, the move benefits forward Pete Nance, who has been converted to a standard NBA contract.
Nance had been playing on a two-way deal and earned the promotion through steady contributions.
Pete Nance – 2025-26 season snapshot
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 37 |
| Minutes Per Game | 12.1 |
| Points Per Game | 4.5 |
The forward has appeared in more games this season than he did in the previous three years combined, showing improved durability and availability.
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Milwaukee’s front office chose to reward that consistency with a longer contract.
At just 24 years old, Thomas still has time to rebuild his career and find the right situation.
He remains known around the league as a talented scoring guard capable of producing big offensive nights when given the opportunity.
If another team offers him a clearer role and consistent minutes, Thomas could still revive his momentum and return to form.
