Cam Thomas' NBA future could depend on doing the unthinkable with Bucks

Cam Thomas' stint with the Milwaukee Bucks has delivered a reality check for everyone. He quickly cooled after a scintillating start, and before Thursday's blowout loss to Utah, he had played three minutes total in as many games. 

Thomas returned to the court against the Jazz, scoring 14 points in 23 minutes, but Bucks TV commentator Marques Johnson, a former player himself, offered up a tidbit that reflects the bigger picture for the young guard's career.

Simply put, Thomas must become a passer on nights when his own shot goes cold. He needs to do more than just try to score. While that mindset might grate against his very NBA identity, it could also be his best chance to remain relevant in the league.

Thomas' limitations did not magically disappear with the Bucks

No one in Milwaukee expected Thomas to come in and start dropping dimes. That's not his game, and it never has been. Like he told his teammates when he arrived, he is here to "get buckets." 

He got plenty of them, too, in his first few games aboard. When his scoring dried up, though, so did his minutes. Just like they did with the Brooklyn Nets, who waived Thomas before he signed with the Bucks in February.

He will be a free agent this offseason. What has become clearer than ever during his brief stay in Milwaukee is that he needs to expand his skill set to survive. When his shot is falling, anything else he gives you is a bonus. The Bucks got that part of the experience with outings of 34 and 27 points shortly after Thomas arrived. 

They also saw what happens when he has an off night shooting. In 17 Bucks games, Thomas is averaging 10.9 points but just 1.9 assists, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.2 steals on unflattering shooting splits. In his career, he has contributed 2.4 assists in nearly 23 minutes per night. With the amount of time he has the rock in his hands, that's just not enough sharing of the basketball.

His defense is not a strength, either. If Thomas isn't making his teammates better and his shot isn't dropping, it's impossible to keep him on the court.

Expanding as a playmaker would raise his future value

To his credit, Thomas distributed four assists versus Utah, his second-most for Milwaukee this season, but he also committed five turnovers. Right idea, but now, he just needs to take care of the basketball. 

The Bucks would love to see Thomas grow as a facilitator during the final 13 games of the season. With how the tide has turned in his time here, from dynamic to DNPs, whether the two sides have interest in a reunion beyond this year is anyone's guess. 

After demanding $30 million per season or more from the Nets as a restricted free agent last summer, Thomas will likely seek some kind of raise. A big contract isn't coming, however, from the Bucks or anyone else.

Wherever he ends up, Thomas would be wise to heed Johnson's words. Just maybe, the five-time All-Star and Milwaukee legend knows what he's talking about.