While the Milwaukee Bucks did not trade franchise player Giannis Antetokounmpo at the deadline, they still face an uphill climb to keep him from potentially leaving the organization. The Bucks did take a flyer on dynamic scoring guard Cam Thomas, who appears to be a strong fit alongside Antetokounmpo on paper. Thomas recently shared his thoughts on the potential partnership.
New Bucks Guard Cam Thomas Excited To Play With Giannis Antetokounmpo
Thomas addressed the media and discussed his excitement about playing alongside Antetokounmpo. Thomas said:
“Just having that dominant force in the paint and just having somebody who can also attract two people. Having that gravity could do wonders for me. Just me being me, being a scorer. Hopefully, I could take some of that pressure off as well. So, I think it can go hand in hand. Just happy to be on the team with him, and I can’t wait to win with him.”
Cam Thomas on playing with Giannis:
“It means a lot. Just having that dominant force in the paint and just having somebody who can also attract two people. Having that gravity could do wonders for me. Just me being me, being a scorer. Hopefully I could take some of that pressure… pic.twitter.com/zyxYDZck76
— Bucks Lead (@BucksLead) February 9, 2026
Thomas is a polarizing figure around the NBA, as he is reportedly viewed in many front offices as a one-dimensional player. He averaged more than 20 points per game over the last two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets, but that production did not win him many supporters across the league, as teams focused on his shortcomings.
The Nets selected Thomas 27th overall in the 2021 draft, and he quickly developed a reputation as a player who hunted for his own shot and was not always focused on other aspects of the game. He showed the ability to score in bunches, including a stretch in 2023 when he scored more than 40 points in three consecutive games. However, he was often inefficient and drew criticism for taking difficult shots instead of moving the ball.
Ultimately, the Nets’ front office decided not to invest significant money in Thomas long-term. He signed a one-year qualifying offer before the start of the season and was expected to leave Brooklyn this summer. Instead, the Nets accelerated that timeline by waiving Thomas at the deadline.
Thomas now gets a fresh start in Milwaukee. Limited by a left hamstring strain, he is averaging 15.6 points per game this season while shooting a career-low 39.9% from the field. He provides the Bucks with instant offense, particularly with Antetokounmpo sidelined indefinitely due to a right calf strain. Bucks head coach Doc Rivers will look to address some of the flaws in Thomas’ game.
Thomas is not a playmaker, averaging 2.2 assists per game over his career despite a high usage rate. He has also struggled defensively, something Rivers is unlikely to tolerate. With the Bucks sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference at 21-29, it remains unclear how much time Thomas will share the court with Antetokounmpo this season.
However, Thomas believes the pairing has significant potential.