The Bucks made an expected addition to their guard room by signing Cam Thomas after his buyout from the Brooklyn Nets. The signing gives them another dynamic scorer off the bench after trading away Cole Anthony at the deadline. Milwaukee now finds itself with a ragtag roster of contributors without a set starting lineup.
When fully healthy, the Bucks starters will likely include Ryan Rollins, AJ Green, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Myles Turner. That leaves another player for a wing or guard spot, which has usually been occupied by either Kyle Kuzma or Kevin Porter Jr.
Cam Thomas adds more firepower to the Bucks’ bench
Point guard: Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr., Cam Thomas
Shooting guard: AJ Green, Gary Harris, Gary Trent Jr., Andre Jackson Jr.
Small forward: Taurean Prince, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Alex Antetokounmpo (two-way)
Power forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyle Kuzma, Pete Nance (two-way), Ousmane Dieng
Center: Myles Turner, Bobby Portis, Jericho Sims
Thomas will likely find himself coming off the bench, along with rotation regulars like Bobby Portis and Jericho Sims. He should insert himself as one of the first guards off the bench, leapfrogging guys like Gary Harris and Gary Trent Jr. For a team that ranks in the league’s bottom half for scoring, Thomas’s ability to create his own offense could be a revelation.
Elsewhere, the Bucks will continue to play Pete Nance significant minutes as well. The two-way player has been a spark plug for Milwaukee with his hustle on both ends and as a rebounder. Giannis’ extended injury should provide him more opportunities as he awaits a standard contract.
Finally, the Bucks’ under-the-radar trade landed them a young prospect in Ousmane Dieng. Dieng is in his fourth season, but still just 22 years old. He’s been wasting away on the Thunder’s bench for years, and now may get a bigger opportunity with the Bucks. Once a lottery pick, he could have untapped potential that the Bucks can access.
The Bucks’ depth chart may remain in flux while Giannis remains sidelined. But one thing is for sure: Cam Thomas will get his fair share of shots. The Bucks should welcome his tough shot-taking (and making) in late-clock situations. There’s a place for him in the league, especially on a struggling team, as a prolific scorer and unstoppable flamethrower.
Thomas’ future with the Bucks is uncertain at this time, but the rest of this season should give Milwaukee’s front office a better idea of his place in their plans. If he can help make his teammates’ lives easier, he might be worth keeping around.
The Bucks shouldn’t necessarily judge their success at this point solely by record. Instead, they need to see the seeds of a competitive team planted in their active players. A worse record will actually help them, since it can net a higher draft pick in the summer. It’s a shame to throw away a season of Giannis’ prime away to a rebuild but they have no choice.
Between the Greek Freak’s injuries and the rest of their depth chart, the Bucks are set up for a season of developmental observations rather than playoff ambitions.