While the media focus is all on Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks could get busy at the trade deadline without making major headlines. According to HoopsHype insider Michael Scotto, one name on their radar is Nets guard Cam Thomas, a sparkplug scorer on an expiring contract.
"Thomas, a proven bucket getter that averaged 22.9 points in 91 combined games in his prior two seasons, would potentially be useful for the Bucks, who rank fourth-worst in points per game (111.8). It’s worth noting that Thomas has a no-trade clause and would need to approve of any trade."
While it's true that Thomas could help energize the offense, there are significant drawbacks in his game. He doesn't play defense. He isn't a facilitator. He is a pure bucket-getter, and although that's worth something, the Bucks have no good reason to invest in a three-month rental who will only make their existing problems worse.
Adding Thomas would compound Bucks' worst flaws
As much as Milwaukee could use another scorer, Thomas' core shortcomings already represent fundamental issues for the Bucks. The defense has been unexpectedly poor, partly due to a lack of size. The 6-foot-3 Thomas would not help them on that front. In five NBA seasons, he has graded out as a clear negative defensively. In 2025-26, he is costing Brooklyn 6.9 points per 100 possessions, according to Cleaning the Glass.
The Bucks have also suffered from stagnant possessions due to a dearth of playmaking. Thomas can make plays for himself, but not so much for teammates. No help there, either.
Even as a scorer, he has taken a big step back this season. His scoring has dipped to 16.1 points per game on 39.9 percent from the floor and 31.8 percent on threes. Even in past years, he has never been an especially efficient scorer.
In part, Thomas' decrease in volume stats is due to his reduced role in the rotation. That's not necessarily a point in his favor. The Nets have leaned into a young core of recent draft picks with whom Thomas has struggled to mesh. The Bucks don't need more chaos than they already have.
Moreover, it seems unlikely they would receive any draft compensation for taking on Thomas' expiring $6 million salary. The Nets have a bounty of cap space and do not need salary relief. As the Bucks effectively wave the white flag on the season, absorbing unwanted contracts to gain draft capital makes a lot more sense than gunning for a win-now player.
For that matter, in what world does flipping Thomas for nothing make sense for the Nets? Surely the Bucks would not consider giving up anything of future value. Let's hope so.
Sure, Milwaukee could take a flyer on Thomas in the hope of a bounce-back, but the investment would be unlikely to pay long-term dividends. After signing Brooklyn's qualifying offer in restricted free agency, he will seek a pay raise this offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
Maybe Thomas would exercise his no-trade clause, anyway, ending the Bucks' pursuit there. Ultimately, it is hard to imagine negotiations getting that far. Adding Thomas makes little sense for Milwaukee. Giving him away would not benefit Brooklyn. Unless there are additional considerations, such as including Thomas' salary within a larger, multi-team maneuver, it's difficult to understand where the Bucks' interest comes from.