Bucks Release Cam Thomas Less Than 2 Months After Signing

Bassyonni

Published: March 24, 2026 8:35 PM ET

Bucks Release Cam Thomas Less Than 2 Months After Signing

The Milwaukee Bucks have recently announced the release of guard Cam Thomas, marking his second move to free agency in less than two months. Thomas had a successful stint with the Brooklyn Nets, where he averaged 22.5 points per game in the 2023-24 season and 24 points per game in the previous season, albeit in limited appearances.

Bucks’ Brief Tenure with Cam Thomas

Thomas signed with the Bucks after the Nets were unable to trade him at the NBA deadline. His first game with Milwaukee was on February 11 against the Orlando Magic, where he played for 13 minutes. In his second outing with the Bucks, he impressed coaches by scoring 34 points, leading to comparisons with past Sixth Man of the Year award winners Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams.

Despite strong initial performances, including double-digit scoring in his first three games, Thomas saw a decline in playing time. In the March 14 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, he played just three minutes and was benched for subsequent games. Coach Doc Rivers commented on Thomas’s reduced role, indicating his focus on utilizing players who fit the team’s current strategy.

Coaching Decisions and Future Prospects

Rivers expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation, stating, “It’s just a tough one, honestly.” He emphasized that decisions were made based on team needs rather than Thomas’s overall performance. As a result of his release, Thomas will not be eligible for postseason play if he signs with another team.

Milwaukee plans to fill Thomas’s roster spot by signing forward Pete Nance to a standard NBA contract. Nance had been on a two-way deal and needed conversion to maintain eligibility as the season progressed. Over 49 appearances this season, he averaged 4.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, and shot 47.9 percent from three-point range.

Team Challenges and Looking Ahead

Entering their game against the LA Clippers, the Bucks held a disappointing record of 29-41 and trailed the Charlotte Hornets by 7.5 games for the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference. This performance marks a stark contrast to their past success, as they have made the playoffs in the previous nine seasons and secured an NBA championship just five years ago.

The organization faces challenging offseason decisions, particularly concerning Giannis Antetokounmpo, as they aim to secure his commitment to a supermax extension by October 1.