Milwaukee Bucks Consider Targeting Cam Thomas in Free Agency, Potentially Trading Kyle Kuzma to Nets to Enhance Perimeter Offense

The Milwaukee Bucks are exploring avenues to strengthen their offensive firepower, particularly from the perimeter, following a disappointing playoff exit that exposed vulnerabilities in their current roster composition. Among the emerging options, Brooklyn Nets’ restricted free agent Cam Thomas has reportedly drawn strong interest from Milwaukee’s front office. The Bucks, long known for their interior dominance thanks to Giannis Antetokounmpo and their pick-and-roll efficiency, have lacked a consistent perimeter scoring punch outside of Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard. Thomas, a rising guard known for his explosive scoring ability and fearless shot-making, represents a possible solution to this lingering deficiency.

Cam Thomas, just 23 years old, has flashed immense potential since being drafted by the Nets in the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft. In the 2024–25 NBA season, he averaged a career-high in points, often shouldering a scoring load on nights when Mikal Bridges or other key contributors underperformed. Despite Brooklyn’s overall inconsistency, Thomas emerged as a bright spot, combining crafty footwork, elite shot creation, and an unteachable confidence that has made him a difficult cover for defenders. Still, as a restricted free agent, the Nets hold the right to match any offer, meaning Milwaukee would need a strong and appealing package to sway Brooklyn’s front office into considering a deal.

Enter Kyle Kuzma, the veteran forward currently playing under a sizable contract and a player who has drawn mixed reviews in Washington but remains a proven scorer and capable playmaker. Kuzma brings a valuable combination of size, versatility, and championship experience, having won a title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. For the Bucks, he’s a trade chip; for the Nets, he could be a starting-caliber forward to fill a void that the team has yet to address convincingly since the departures of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Kuzma’s ability to play both forward spots and contribute 18–22 points per game makes him an enticing option for a team trying to retool without bottoming out.

The hypothetical trade scenario involves a sign-and-trade framework, where Milwaukee would negotiate terms with Thomas and facilitate a deal that sends Kuzma and possibly future draft compensation to Brooklyn in return. While the salary cap logistics are complex—especially given Milwaukee’s tight financial situation and Brooklyn’s current contract obligations—the framework makes conceptual sense. The Bucks are in win-now mode, and acquiring a young, high-ceiling guard like Thomas would inject scoring depth and youth into a team that at times looked one-dimensional when opposing defenses collapsed on Antetokounmpo.

From a basketball standpoint, Thomas fits well alongside Lillard and Antetokounmpo. His ability to create shots in isolation and run the offense during second-unit minutes would alleviate pressure on Lillard, whose minutes need to be better managed to preserve his health and effectiveness late in the season. Thomas could serve as the sixth man or even slot into a starting shooting guard role if the Bucks opt to run Lillard off the ball more frequently. Defensively, there are concerns—Thomas isn’t known for his defensive acumen—but the Bucks have long succeeded in masking perimeter defensive deficiencies through strong team concepts and help defense anchored by shot blockers like Brook Lopez.

Brooklyn, on the other hand, would need to weigh the value of Thomas’ scoring upside against the opportunity to add a proven player in Kuzma and potentially draft capital. While Thomas has shown flashes of brilliance, his fit alongside Mikal Bridges and the rest of Brooklyn’s developing core has sometimes felt awkward. The team is clearly in a transitional phase, lacking a true identity or direction following the dismantling of their star-driven roster. Bringing in Kuzma would at least solidify the forward rotation and provide a veteran presence who can score, rebound, and help guide younger players.

Another factor in Brooklyn’s decision will be Thomas’ price tag. If Milwaukee offers a deal in the range of four years and $80 million, it may force the Nets’ hand. Matching such an offer would mean committing significant cap space to a player whose future role is still undefined within their system. Refusing to match would risk losing him for nothing unless a sign-and-trade can be orchestrated. This is where Milwaukee’s interest becomes critical. If the Bucks are willing to dangle Kuzma—a player under contract and ready to contribute—Brooklyn could walk away with value while avoiding a cap crunch.

The Bucks’ interest in Thomas also speaks to a broader strategic recalibration. Since winning the 2021 NBA championship, Milwaukee has tried to replicate that success without fundamentally changing their offensive system. The addition of Lillard was a major step, but the team’s spacing and pace still lag behind more modern, perimeter-oriented offenses. Thomas offers something the Bucks don’t currently have: a young scorer who can get hot in a hurry and change the complexion of a game without relying on structured sets. His presence could open up new schematic possibilities for head coach Doc Rivers, allowing for more creativity and unpredictability in the halfcourt.

Critics of such a move will point to Thomas’ inconsistency and lack of experience in high-stakes playoff environments. There’s also the risk of overlapping skillsets with Lillard, as both guards are score-first players who operate best with the ball in their hands. However, the Bucks likely view this as a manageable issue. Thomas is young enough to mold into a more efficient off-ball player, and his competitive edge could be sharpened within a veteran-led locker room. Surrounded by leaders like Giannis, Lillard, and Lopez, Thomas could thrive in a more defined role—something he never quite had in Brooklyn.

Financially, the Bucks are already operating in the luxury tax and would need to navigate salary matching rules carefully. Kuzma, who earns around $25 million annually, aligns closely with the projected salary Thomas would command in restricted free agency. That makes the framework feasible without requiring a third team, though Milwaukee might need to include a pick or a young player like MarJon Beauchamp to sweeten the deal. The Nets could leverage their restricted free agency leverage to push for additional assets, but that depends largely on how much they value Kuzma’s fit with their current roster.

One thing is clear: Milwaukee’s front office recognizes the urgency of its championship window. With Giannis in his prime and Lillard aging, each season is precious. Standing pat isn’t an option, and while Thomas isn’t a perfect player, he offers upside, youth, and dynamic scoring that the Bucks desperately need. In today’s NBA, perimeter creation is king, and having a player who can create his own shot in isolation or in late-clock situations is critical. Thomas, for all his flaws, checks that box.

Brooklyn, meanwhile, remains at a crossroads. Thomas has his fans within the organization, but the front office may ultimately decide that a more balanced roster with experienced contributors like Kuzma provides a better platform for development and competitiveness. This deal wouldn’t make Brooklyn a contender overnight, but it would give them flexibility, floor-spacing, and another proven scorer to support Bridges and Nic Claxton.

Ultimately, whether the Bucks can land Thomas depends on several factors—the size of their offer sheet, Brooklyn’s willingness to negotiate a sign-and-trade, and Kuzma’s own receptiveness to joining a rebuilding team. But the interest is real, and the logic behind the move is sound. In a league where spacing, versatility, and scoring punch from multiple positions are paramount, Cam Thomas offers Milwaukee a high-upside gamble. If the Bucks believe he can blossom into a reliable third scorer behind Giannis and Lillard, then parting with Kuzma could be a risk worth taking.

This potential deal underscores the dynamic and ever-shifting nature of NBA roster building. For contenders like Milwaukee, bold moves are not luxuries—they are necessities. Adding Cam Thomas would be a gamble on talent, upside, and offensive diversity. For Brooklyn, acquiring Kuzma would represent a pivot toward veteran stability and roster coherence. Both teams have decisions to make, but one thing is certain: if the Bucks are serious about maximizing their championship window, then targeting Cam Thomas is more than just an intriguing idea—it could be their next big swing.