Cam Thomas' stock has fallen off a cliff, and the Milwaukee Bucks decided to remove the 24-year-old guard from the roster, ahead of Monday night's matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. After waiving Thomas, the Bucks converted Pete Nance's contract to a standard contract.
There's no doubt that Thomas, who averaged 24 points per game two seasons ago, is a fantastic one-on-one scorer. But a lot of doubts have arisen over the years regarding their ability to function within a winning ecosystem. And the Bucks' decision to cut him when they weren't in a competitive position is telling of how Thomas is currently viewed.
According to Keith Smith of Spotrac, considering the timing of Thomas' waiver, he will no longer be eligible to play in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. That's because the Bucks waived the explosive scoring guard after the March 1 playoff eligibility waiver deadline. If an NBA team registers interest in him he is eligible to sign with an NBA team.
One would think that a team with nothing to lose could turn the odds in their favor. But both the teams with losing records, Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks, left him, due to which a big crisis loomed in his career path.
Where does Cam Thomas go from here after being waived by the Bucks?
Thomas may function best in a system where his worst habits are reined in and his strengths are maximized. He's a great shot-maker, and he can set up balls in a pinch. If there's any team that can get the best out of Cam Thomas, it's the Miami Heat.
The Heat rarely play on-ball screens, so they rely on creating space through quick movements and one-on-one play. And in Miami, Thomas will be forced to learn how to play defense and team basketball. Perhaps going there will revive his career.
