Finally, after weeks of speculation, the Milwaukee Bucks have signed Pete Nance to a standard deal. Everyone figured it would happen at some point; the true question was who they would cut ties with to make room. Andre Jackson Jr. felt like a goner, but in a surprising twist, it's actually Cam Thomas who is being waived and sent home.
The Milwaukee Bucks are waiving Cam Thomas just weeks after signing him, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/V4BBT2Zf5o
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 24, 2026
Bucks waive Cam Thomas after turbulent stint
Thomas' place in Milwaukee felt safe. Even if he had cooled off lately, this was still a player who tallied games of 34 and 27 points very early on in his Bucks tenure. That type of scoring was something this Milwaukee team has been missing for a good chunk of the season, and the team clearly felt like there was potential for Thomas to fill in the gaps when they scooped him off the buyout market.
Now, just 18 games into his Bucks tenure, Thomas is back on the market, and it would be surprising if he were to get picked up.
While the team clearly felt like they had a chance to compete when they signed Thomas, that dream has died in recent weeks. With their playoff hopes growing dimmer, the front office is looking ahead to the future, opting to secure Nance on a multi-year deal while cutting Thomas, who was not on the books beyond this season.
Pete Nance deserved a future with the Bucks
While Thomas has been falling out of favor in Milwaukee lately, Nance has been garnering plenty of positive attention. With so many players in the frontcourt banged up, the forward, formerly on a two-way contract, stepped up to the plate and played the best basketball of his career. Had the Bucks not given him this deal, he would not have been able to finish out the season due to two-way rules.
The financial figures on this deal have not yet been released, but it's almost certainly a team-friendly contract with very little guaranteed money. That makes it a win for both sides, giving Nance a chance to stick around and continue proving himself to the franchise, while the Bucks can keep a rising chess piece long-term or cut ties with him if something else arises.
Congrats to Pete Nance on getting a promotion. As for Cam Thomas, it's unfortunate that things did not work out as everyone had hoped. The initial potential involving him was off the charts.
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