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From 40-Point Scorer to Free Agent: Cam Thomas’ Fall
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- From 40-Point Scorer to Free Agent: Cam Thomas’ Fall
From 40-Point Scorer to Free Agent: Cam Thomas’ Fall
(Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
A little over a year ago, Cam Thomas looked like he was on the verge of becoming one of the NBA's most dangerous young scorers.
Now, as the 2026 offseason continues, the former Brooklyn Nets guard remains unsigned.
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The fall has been surprising. Thomas went from being one of the most talked-about young scorers in basketball to a player searching for another opportunity after being waived by two different teams in the same season.
And the frustrating part is that the talent was never really the question.
Thomas has always been able to put the ball in the basket.
The questions have always been about everything else.
During the 2024-25 season, Thomas looked like he was taking another major step forward. He averaged 24 points per game at just 23 years old and had multiple stretches where he looked nearly impossible to stop.
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His biggest moment came when he became the first Nets player since Kevin Durant to record three consecutive 40-point games, joining an elite group of scorers who have carried Brooklyn offensively.
For a player who entered the league as the No. 27 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, it looked like Thomas had finally found his place.
He was supposed to be one of the faces of Brooklyn's rebuild.
Instead, the relationship between Thomas and the Nets slowly started to change.
The turning point came during restricted free agency in 2025. Brooklyn reportedly offered Thomas a multi-year extension, but the two sides were unable to agree on a deal. Thomas ultimately signed his $5.9 million qualifying offer, betting on himself and hoping his play would earn him a bigger contract later.
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That gamble never paid off.
Injuries played a major factor. Thomas dealt with multiple left hamstring issues that limited his availability and prevented him from finding any consistent rhythm. His minutes dropped, his production dipped, and Brooklyn started looking toward a different future.
After failing to find a trade before the deadline, the Nets waived Thomas in February 2026.
Thomas later said his departure was because Brooklyn "didn't believe" in him, adding that he felt the organization was constantly searching for something else.
Nets head coach Jordi Fernández responded to those comments by wishing Thomas well but making it clear that Brooklyn was focused on the players currently on its roster.
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Thomas quickly found another opportunity with the Milwaukee Bucks, a team that had shown interest in him for years.
The fit appeared promising early.
Thomas scored 34 points in one of his first games with Milwaukee, reminding everyone why teams were still interested in his offensive ability. A player capable of creating his own shot at that level is rare.
But once again, the questions surrounding his game came back.
In 18 games with the Bucks, Thomas averaged just 10.6 points per game while shooting 43.1% from the field and 27.5% from three. His role continued to shrink, and Milwaukee eventually waived him in March to create a roster spot for Pete Nance.
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Now, Thomas is an unrestricted free agent and still looking for a new home.
Even away from games, the conversation around Thomas has followed him.
A video of Thomas playing in an offseason open run against NBA players, including De'Andre Hunter, went viral last week. The clips showed exactly what everyone already knows about Thomas: he can score.
But the reactions also showed why teams remain hesitant.
Many fans pointed out that the highlights mostly featured difficult shots and questioned whether Thomas can impact winning when his scoring is not there. Others questioned his ability to create for teammates or contribute defensively.
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The criticism has followed Thomas throughout his career.
The biggest question has never been whether he can score. Everyone knows he can.
The question is whether he can become the type of all-around player that NBA teams are looking for.
That topic became even louder after Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. discussed Thomas' departure on the Road Trippin' podcast. Porter said he believed Thomas' situation was about more than just basketball ability, pointing toward his personality, leadership and relationships with teammates.
"There's a lot more to the NBA and sticking around than just scoring," Porter said.
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Thomas has pushed back against the idea that he is only a scorer, saying his playmaking is underrated and that he believes he can contribute in multiple ways.
And that is where his next opportunity will likely be decided.
There will always be a place in the NBA for players who can score. Shot creation is one of the hardest skills to find, and Thomas has proven he can do that at a high level.
But teams are no longer just looking for someone who can score 25 points on a random night. They want players who can defend, communicate, make teammates better, and help win games even when their shot is not falling.
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At only 24 years old, Thomas still has plenty of time to change the narrative.
A new team could give him the fresh start he believes he deserves.
But after going from Brooklyn's leading scorer to being waived twice in one season, Cam Thomas now faces the biggest challenge of his career.
The question is no longer whether Cam Thomas can put the ball in the basket.
Everyone already knows he can.
The question is whether he can prove he is more than that.
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