“There were things that we don’t need to talk about, right?” Rivers told reporters before Monday’s game against the Clippers. “As a coach, you have to make decisions on what’s the best thing for the team at that time. People don’t understand that. They start talking about other stuff, you know? And that’s not for anyone to know”.

The primary roster motivation for the move was to convert forward Pete Nance from a two-way contract to a standard multi-year NBA deal. Nance has emerged as a reliable rotation piece, averaging 4.5 points and 2.2 rebounds in 12.1 minutes across 37 games this season.

While Nance’s efficiency earned him the promotion, the timing remains surprising to some, given that Thomas averaged 10.7 points in his 18-game stint with the Bucks.

From ‘Sixth Man’ praise to the waiver wire

The breakup marks a sharp turn from the optimism that surrounded Thomas’s arrival in Milwaukee. In just his second game with the team, the shooting guard exploded for 34 points off the bench in a 116–108 win over the Orlando Magic—tying a franchise record for points by a reserve.

At the time, Rivers drew comparisons between Thomas and some of the greatest bench scorers in NBA history. “I’ve had Jamal Crawford. I had Lou Williams… and now, I have Cam Thomas,” Rivers famously stated. However, that “Sixth Man” vision quickly faded as Thomas’s minutes fluctuated, eventually leading to being waved.

Postseason limbo for Thomas

Now a free agent, the 24-year-old player faces a difficult path forward. Because he was waived after the March 1 deadline, NBA collective bargaining rules dictate that he is ineligible to appear on a playoff roster this spring.

While Thomas can still sign with a new team to play the final 10 games of the regular season, he will be unable to contribute to any postseason run. It appears the 2025-26 campaign has effectively come to an early end for the former Nets star as he shifts his focus toward summer free agency.

Per NBA collective bargaining rules, Thomas is ineligible to appear on a playoff roster this spring because he remained on a roster past the March 1 waiver deadline.

While another franchise can still claim him or sign him to a standard deal, his inability to contribute to a playoff run makes a late-season signing unlikely.

The abrupt nature of his departure from both the Nets and now the Bucks has sparked significant league-wide speculation regarding his fit within a locker room culture. With the postseason off the table, Thomas will likely shift his focus toward the free-agent market, where several teams that monitored him at the trade deadline are expected to circle back.

Why did Milwaukee move on from Thomas?

According to Hoops Rumors, the transaction was a numbers game. To secure rookie Pete Nance for the long term, the Bucks needed an open roster spot. Milwaukee opted to convert Nance’s two-way deal into a multi-year standard NBA contract, signaling that the front office views Nance as a primary developmental piece for the 2026-27 campaign.

Bucks eliminated from playoff contention

The roster shuffling comes on the heels of a disappointing season in Milwaukee. With Monday night’s loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Bucks were officially eliminated from postseason contention, punctuating a year defined by inconsistency.

As the franchise enters an early offseason, the priority shifts to a critical rebuild around Giannis Antetokounmpo. Following a winter of rumors regarding the Greek Freak’s future in Milwaukee, the front office faces immense pressure to overhaul the supporting cast through free agency and savvy drafting to keep their franchise cornerstone satisfied.

The Brooklyn Nets waived the shooting guard, who was set to become a free agent this offseason, allowing him to sign with any team for the remainder of the current NBA season. The decision closed the chapter on a relationship that had grown increasingly strained over the past year.

According to Scoop B, multiple teams are showing interest in Thomas, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks, and Indiana Pacers. Several of those teams are seeking scoring depth as they prepare for the final stretch of the regular season and a potential playoff push.

Thomas previously had a tense situation with Nets general manager Sean Marks and the front office last summer, when the organization declined to meet his salary expectations. As a result, he accepted a qualifying offer worth approximately five million dollars, a move that left his long-term future in Brooklyn uncertain.

The situation surrounding Cam Thomas and his numbers

Now, with most rosters already filled, only a handful of teams possess the cap space necessary to offer Thomas the 20 million dollars per year he is reportedly seeking. As a result, the most realistic scenario is that he signs a short-term, lower-value deal to position himself better for the next offseason.

This season has been individually disappointing for Thomas. Injuries and the arrival of Michael Porter Jr. pushed him into a reduced role, limiting his opportunities to showcase the scoring ability that once defined his game.

After averaging 24 points per game previously, Thomas saw that figure drop to 15 points per contest this season. Even so, his scoring instincts could still prove valuable for a competitive team looking for offensive punch off the bench, a role that may ultimately determine his next NBA destination.

“How Thomas will now fit in the Nets’ future remains uncertain at best. As noted, the two sides can try to arrange a trade, or they can revisit his free agency a year from now. But with Thomas’ future so uncertain, the Nets are unlikely to feature him as much as if they had signed him to a long-term contract,” Bob Windrem said, via Nets Daily.

Although an injury sidelined Cam Thomas for part of the 2024-25 NBA season, he excelled in 25 games with the Nets, averaging 24 points per game. His impressive performance underscored his value to the team. However, with the possibility of him becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2026, assigning him a leading role presents a risk. Thus, Jordi Fernandez has chosen to give prominence to players who truly belong to the franchise’s future.

Will Cam Thomas stay on the Nets roster for the 2025-26 NBA season?

Cam Thomas is set to stay with the Brooklyn Nets through the end of the season, having accepted the qualifying offer. However, his future with the franchise remains uncertain. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the franchise gave him a no-trade clause in his contract, which allows him to take the control of his career. For that reason, the team cannot actively explore trade possibilities before he potentially departs as an unrestricted free agent in 2026.

At just 23 years old, Cam holds the reins of his career to shape his future in the league. Nonetheless, his reported rotation player role might affect interest from certain teams for his near future. Recognized himself as a future All-Star, he may still look towards a franchise that competes for the championship in the near future.

Cam Thomas bets big on his future with his bold contract decision

When the Brooklyn Nets extended an $11 million qualifying offer with a no-trade clause to Cam Thomas, they effectively entrusted him with the franchise’s future. This bold move carries significant risk, as Thomas’s performance in the 2025-26 NBA season remains uncertain.

A lackluster showing could diminish interest from other teams, leading to fewer offers than anticipated. However, if Thomas excels and secures the deal he desires, the gamble will prove worthwhile. Ultimately, Cam Thomas is placing a substantial bet on his own potential and abilities.

After failing to secure a playoff spot, the Nets are seeking a strong comeback. Thomas has been viewed as a pivotal player for Brooklyn in the upcoming challenges. However, his future with the team appears uncertain as the organization reevaluates its direction.

According to reports by Jake Fisher of The Stein Line, the Nets seem unlikely to extend Thomas’ contract. This decision reflects the franchise’s strategic considerations for the upcoming seasons, suggesting that Thomas is not central to their long-term vision.

“Brooklyn has not made an aggressive effort to retain Thomas on any long-term deal,” Fisher noted, highlighting the potential for other NBA teams to express interest in the 23-year-old guard. This could open up opportunities for those looking to capitalize on his talents.

Interestingly, Fisher mentions that Thomas himself might see this as a significant chance. Reports indicate his interest in testing the waters of free agency in 2026, potentially parting ways with the Nets given their apparent reluctance to secure his future.

“Thomas is showing an increasing interest in playing out next season on a $6 million qualifier to embrace the opportunity of unrestricted free agency next summer,” Fisher elaborated, emphasizing Thomas’s position in the evolving narrative.

Thomas has shown impressive growth, averaging over 22 points per game in his last two regular seasons. This performance could attract bids from other franchises as he considers his next career move, potentially seeking a better fit elsewhere in the NBA.

While the Nets boast talent on their roster, there have been rumblings about possible trades. However, with the acquisitions of Terrance Mann and Michael Porter Jr., the team might be in a strong position to reclaim a playoff spot if these players stay on board.

“The consensus on Cam Thomas — if there is one, and he’s got some fans, and he’s got some mega-detractors — but the consensus is kind of like empty calories, ball hog,” ESPN’s Zach Lowe said recently on his podcast.

Thomas didn’t take the comment lightly and responded directly to Lowe and others who share that view. “The consensus? F*** you and the consensus @ZachLowe_NBA,” he wrote on X. “This is most likely the same consensus teams who can’t guard me and send double teams from jump ball. Why are we double teaming a guy who’s ‘not that good’? Make it make sense please.”

Thomas remains one of the most polarizing players in the NBA as he nears the end of his rookie contract. While his scoring instincts are undeniable, critics have questioned his playmaking ability and commitment on the defensive end — concerns that raise doubts about his role in a playoff-caliber rotation.

Over the past two seasons, Thomas has stepped into a leading role for the Nets, averaging 22.9 points and 3.1 assists per game with shooting splits of 44/36/86 across 91 appearances. However, Brooklyn went just 31-60 in those games, underscoring the team’s broader struggles.

With the offseason additions of Michael Porter Jr., Drew Timme, and continued development from Nic Claxton, the Nets hope to show improvement this season. While they’re unlikely to emerge as contenders in the NBA Eastern Conference just yet, Thomas will finally have more support around him to evolve alongside the team’s growing core.

Still, Thomas feels the criticism is misinformed. “Last time speaking on some s**t,” he wrote in a follow-up post on X. “Empty calories? First off, we were the 5th or 6th team in the East before my injury and the trades. Can’t control what the GM wants to do with the team. Second, ball hog? I was 2nd on the team in assists — not counting the PGs traded away and traded for…”

“I really patterned my game after James when he was in Houston,” Thomas shared during an appearance on The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis. “Just watching-like, I really tried to pattern my game after him a little bit but still take stuff from him.”

Thomas emphasized how Harden’s game influenced his development, particularly his scoring techniques. “I really tried to pattern my game after James: the ball in his hand, the step-back threes, all the iso moves,” said the 23-year-old guard.

Cam had the opportunity to see Harden’s influence up close during their brief time together in Brooklyn. Harden joined the Nets in late 2020 and stayed for just over a year, coinciding with Thomas’s rookie season. However, the two didn’t have much time together, as Harden was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers before the conclusion of that campaign.

Despite their limited time together, Thomas had already absorbed enough from Harden’s game to improve his own. “Before I even got here, I was already tapped in with watching James and knowing all his moves and stuff,” he explained. ”So yeah, that’s definitely someone I’ve studied and looked at to take things from.”

Harden isn’t the only star Cam Thomas learned from

In the same conversation with Draymond Green and Baron Davis, Cam Thomas also reflected on the other stars he had the chance to play with during his early years with the Brooklyn Nets, and what he admired of them. On Kyrie Irving, Thomas noted, “Kai, just his patience offensively. I mean, he don’t let nobody speed him up. I really try to take that, just not letting nobody speed me up, getting to my spots and just be able to make the shot at my spot.”

As for the other superstar on the Nets, Kevin Durant, Thomas admitted it was a bit more challenging to learn from the future Hall of Famer. “You can’t really learn much from K, because he’s like, seven feet, doing what he do. So it’s kinda hard to learn from him. I just watched like ‘Oh, K, that’s tough.’”

Cam Thomas competing with the best

Playing alongside such high-caliber stars as James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant gave Cam Thomas a rare opportunity to refine his game. Now, at 23 years old, he’s showing the fruits of that experience. The 2024-25 season has so far been the best of his career, as he’s averaging 24.7 points per game (17th in the league), along with 3.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists. Thomas’s impressive play is solidifying his place as one of the rising stars in the NBA.

“I think Steph really changed the way teams wanted to play the game of basketball,” Thomas said in an appearance on The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis. The 23-year-old praised Curry’s transformative influence on the game, particularly in terms of shooting and team dynamics.

“Shooting threes, moving around without the ball, I think Steph really changed the way teams around the league tried to play,” Cam explained. “Steph really changed team culture. Everybody wants to shoot threes now. If you can’t shoot threes, you can’t play.”

However, Thomas went on to highlight a key difference between Curry and Harden, noting that many young players grew up aspiring to emulate Harden’s style. “I think we really gravitated toward James because James was doing the isos. Like breaking people down one-on-one, scoring the 40s and 50s,” Cam explained.

He continued to praise the impact of the Los Angeles Clippers star. “James really changed the individual play. The isos, the handles, the stepbacks, the foul drawing, just all that stuff.” Thomas said. “I think James really changed the individual skill of how players wanted to play the game.”

Harden and Curry: Marking an era in the NBA

Over the past 15 years, Stephen Curry has been instrumental in shaping the modern NBA, leading the Golden State Warriors to four championships and reaching two additional Finals appearances. Not content with his remarkable accomplishments, Curry entered this season with one goal in mind: a fifth NBA title. These achievements have firmly established him as one of the most successful players of his generation.

On the other hand, James Harden‘s career has been defined by individual brilliance rather than team success. Despite his exceptional play, Harden has only reached the NBA Finals once—back in 2012 with the Oklahoma City Thunder, where they were defeated by the Miami Heat in five games. Since then, Harden has failed to return to that stage, first with the Houston Rockets, then the Brooklyn Nets, and most recently with the Philadelphia 76ers. Now, at the age of 35, he continues to chase that elusive Finals appearance with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The future of the NBA after Harden and Curry

“James and Steph are the two, for our generation, for the young guys, the one and two,” Cam Thomas said in his conversation with Draymond Green, acknowledging the lasting impact both players have had on the league over the last decade and a half. However, the Brooklyn Nets guard made it clear that the next generation is ready to take the reins. “Credit to those guys for changing the game, but it’s our time now, for sure.”

That’s why fans and analysts should think twice before calling young players busts. Even Kobe Bryant and John Stockton needed time before stepping over and putting together Hall of Famer careers.

With that in mind, we’ll take a look at three young players that were expected to make a bigger impact in theirrookie season, hoping they take a step forward and silence their critics in their second year in the league.

NBA News: 3 Second-Year Players Looking To Bounce Back In 2022-23

3. Jonathan Kuminga

Jonathan Kuminga’s athleticism is off the charts, and he did have some interesting passages in his first season. However, some expected him to have a more significantrole, and he averaged roughly 9.3 points per game.

The Golden State Warriors will be thinner at both forward spots next season, and Kuminga will likely take as many minutes as his body can handle. So, expect him to put up somewhere near 15+ points and 6+ rebounds per game on nearly 50% shooting.

2. Jalen Suggs

Jalen Suggs drew comparisons to Jason Kidd during his days in Gonzaga, and some deemed him the best playmaker in his class. Unfortunately, he struggled with offensive inefficiency and injuries throughout his rookie campaign.

The Orlando Magic will now have a secondary playmaker in Paolo Banchero. That should take plenty of pressure off Suggs’ shoulders and get him more open shots. If he stays healthy, we’re looking at 8+ assists per game in year two.

1. Cam Thomas

Some claimed that Cam Thomas could be the biggest steal of the Draft. He’s a gifted scorer that can create his shot from all three levels, and even Kevin Durant has had plenty of praise for his God-given talents.

The Brooklyn Nets will put the ball on his hands more often in year two, especially with Durant out of the picture. He shot a horrid 27% from the floor. We expect his efficiency and scoring averages to trend up to 16+ PPG as he gets more touches.