Leading up to the trade deadline, the Milwaukee Bucks were linked to several high-profile guards who could theoretically shake up their stagnant roster. Among the more eyebrow-raising names floated in league circles was Ja Morant, a former All-NBA talent whose value has quietly cratered amid injuries, inconsistency, and off-court baggage. However, the Bucks instead got a far cheaper name in Thomas, and they didn't even have to trade anything for him.
Both are having down years, but Thomas is way cheaper
Instead of mortgaging flexibility for Morant’s bloated contract and uncertain trajectory, the Bucks pivoted post-deadline to the buyout market, where Cam Thomas emerged as a low-cost alternative with a surprisingly similar offensive upside.