Cam Whitmore’s Next Chapter: From Trade Chip to Core Piece
After a successful 2024–25 season in which the Houston Rockets improved to 52–30 from a .500 finish the year before, the team found itself with a surplus of talent. Following the blockbuster trade that sent Kevin Durant to Houston in exchange for starting guard Jalen Green, the Rockets continued reshaping their roster by dealing promising young forward Cam Whitmore. Whitmore, the 20th overall pick in the loaded 2023 NBA Draft—featuring stars like Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller, and the Thompson twins, including Amen Thompson—showed flashes of potential but ultimately didn’t fit into Houston’s long-term vision. In his first two seasons, the six-foot-seven Villanova product averaged 10.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in just 17.4 minutes per game.
Now with the Washington Wizards, Whitmore joins a rebuilding team full of fresh faces—10 players on the current roster have two or fewer years of NBA experience. Among them are emerging prospects like Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, Alex Sarr, and Bub Carrington. With ample playing time up for grabs, Whitmore has a clear opportunity to carve out a significant role and showcase his scoring ability. Despite losing Marcus Smart in free agency, there is still plenty of veteran leadership in the locker room. Supporting this youthful core are veteran leaders Khris Middleton and CJ McCollum, both of whom bring playoff experience and professionalism to a locker room in need of guidance. Their presence could be key in helping Whitmore and the rest of the Wizards’ young core develop into consistent contributors—and perhaps future stars.
Whitmore brings real upside to Washington with his rare blend of athleticism and scoring instincts. He’s a powerful finisher in transition, has shown the ability to create his own shot off the dribble, and thrives attacking closeouts. His physical profile gives him the tools to become a versatile defender, capable of guarding multiple positions. However, to reach the next level, Whitmore needs to refine his playmaking and decision-making. His assist numbers are low, sometimes forcing contested shots instead of moving the ball around and setting up his teammates for potentially better shots. If he improves his awareness and consistency on both ends, he could become a key piece in Washington’s rebuild.
