The Milwaukee Bucks are waiving Cam Thomas just weeks after signing him to bolster their playoff push, marking another shocking twist in the 24-year-old guard’s turbulent season.
Why the Milwaukee Bucks Waived Cam Thomas So Soon
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Monday that the Bucks are parting ways with Thomas, ending an experiment that began with promise but quickly unraveled.
The move comes less than two months after Milwaukee signed the former Brooklyn Nets guard in free agency following the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Bucks GM Jon Horst sold Thomas as a key part of the team’s contention ability this season and the future after the team signed him post-trade deadline, while Doc Rivers compared Thomas to Lou Williams and Jamal Crawford after just two games. Now he’s waived. https://t.co/6TZrMjnzXh
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 24, 2026
General manager Jon Horst sold Thomas as a key piece of the team’s contention plans when Milwaukee signed him. The front office told Thomas “they wanted me” and “they’ve been interested for years now,” which played a major role in his decision to join the Bucks over other suitors.
Head coach Doc Rivers was even more effusive in his praise after Thomas exploded for 34 points against the Orlando Magic in just his second game with Milwaukee. Rivers compared the guard to two legendary sixth men he coached with the Los Angeles Clippers, saying he had coached Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams, and now he had Cam Thomas.
The comparison to Crawford and Williams, who combined for six Sixth Man of the Year awards, four of them under Rivers, seemed fitting at the time.
Thomas appeared energized by the fresh start, telling reporters that it meant a lot to have Rivers’ confidence in him early. He noted that everyone knows he can score, but he wanted to prove he was more than just a bucket-getter.
However, the honeymoon ended quickly. After his initial burst of 34 and 27 points in early games, Thomas cooled off significantly over his next several appearances. He averaged just 10.7 points for the Bucks while shooting 43.1% from the field and 27.5% from 3-point range.
Although these numbers may seem decent, it looks like Milwaukee aimed to prioritize its long-term future. There have been questions asked about his attitude, especially by Brooklyn Nets fans after his dig at the team, but there haven’t been any reports on that as of now.
The timing of the waiver carries significant implications for Thomas’ immediate future. Because he is being released after March 1, Thomas is not eligible to play in the 2026 NBA Playoffs for any team that signs him. This means any squad looking to add him will only get his services for the final stretch of the regular season.
MORE: Why Is Paul George Out? A Closer Look at 76ers Star’s 25-Game Suspension and Potential Return
Thomas will now enter unrestricted free agency this summer after failing to establish himself as a winning player during his brief Milwaukee stint. After demanding upwards of $30 million per season from the Nets last summer, he will likely have to settle for far less given how his stock has cratered.
The Bucks, meanwhile, continue to search for answers as they push toward the Play-In Tournament with Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Thomas experiment joins a long list of moves that have failed to pan out for Milwaukee this season.
