Milwaukee Bucks forward Ousmane Dieng. Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Bucks' under-the-radar deadline additions paying off already

By Sean Keane | Last updated Feb 13, 2026 12:50 AM ET

The biggest story about the Milwaukee Bucks at the trade deadline was that they didn't trade Giannis Antetokounmpo. Two under-the-radar acquisitions have lifted them to two big wins leading into the All-Star break.

Ousmane Dieng, obtained in a three-team deal from the Oklahoma City Thunder, put up 19 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks against his old team in a 110-93 upset win over OKC Thursday. Cam Thomas, waived by the Brooklyn Nets last week, contributed 12 points and was +15 in his 20 minutes.

Milwaukee Bucks took interesting, inexpensive flyers on young talent

Once the Bucks decided to keep their superstar, they added talent as much as they could using their limited resources. They traded for Dieng, a talented 2022 lottery pick who had trouble finding playoff time with the Thunder thanks to injuries, an abundance of other young players and OKC's quick rise to an NBA champion. Dieng is still only 22 years old, a worthwhile flyer at the cost of only backups Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey.

Dieng wasn't able to beat out Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Jalen Williams for playing time, though that's no indictment of his talent. He's shown flashes of the athleticism, scoring and defense that made him the No. 11 pick in 2022, but he was in a difficult spot as a developing talent on a team that no longer had time for development.

Thursday, he showed his old team what they were missing out on.

Ousmane Dieng 19-11-6-1-4 (7/12), O TOV, +16 pic.twitter.com/unZx7zocS5
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) February 13, 2026

Thomas was a more straightforward acquisition. The Nets showed no interest in signing him to a long-term deal last summer, and he played this year under the qualifying offer. Thomas can score in bunches (24 PPG last season) but has limitations on the defensive end of the court.

The Bucks are 27th in points per game this year. They'll take a great bucket-getter wherever they can find him — especially on a free-agent signing — and Thomas got a lot of buckets (34 points) in Milwaukee's win over the Orlando Magic Wednesday.

CAM THOMAS TONIGHT:

34 POINTS
4 REBOUNDS
2 ASSISTS
12/20 FG
4/6 3PT
6/6 FT
**25 MINUTES**

pic.twitter.com/Po91CYdjX0
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 12, 2026

Milwaukee Bucks need talent of any kind this season

Its fair to say the Bucks have abandoned their championship aspirations. However, they have one of the NBA's very best players in Antetokounmpo for at least two more months and may not control their own first-round pick. There's no reason not to take a shot with some slightly distressed young talent.

In addition, Dieng will be a restricted free agent this summer, meaning the Bucks will get two months to evaluate him and can then match any free-agent offer. If Antetokounmpo and the team eventually do decide to part ways, Dieng could be part of the next era of the Bucks — or part of a trade.

Until then, Dieng and Thomas are looking like crucial members of a Bucks team that needs all the help they can get for a longshot play-in push.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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