If the Rockets don’t believe that he will play in the way that is conducive to winning - the absolutely should trade him while he still has some value. If a team that is likely to be mediocre offers an unprotected or lightly protected #1, then the Rockets would be foolish to not take it. This isn’t romper room, there are. Actual adults making decisions now. Whitmore has been a Rocket for two years, the coaches and player development people know Cam well. The KPJ and Jalen Green ******** in one hand and wishing in the other wastes of time are things of the past. What I find interesting is no one is talking about Cam’s feelings about being a Rocket.
Cam Whitmore fell in the draft because he’s an idiot. He has top 5 level talent, but he’s the type of fella with the eho/pride that is willing to win the battle but always losing the war. In his tenure with the Rockets, he’s proven those naysayers on NBA draft day, to have been correct. Honestly, Cam is a ball dominant hog, that has a spectacular game. But he’s bottom fodder, he thrives with his taking care of his stat, regardless of winning.
I thought defense coach like Ime is an expert on teaching how to play defense instead of trading for defensive players.
I'd rather they keep Cam, but I think they have to decide by tomorrow if they want to pick up Jock's contract. If they have a trade in the works Jock and Cam together make about 12 Mil. Cam is more Forward than Guard, so if they want to add another combo guard to help with ball handling it makes sense to pick up Landale's contract and combine it with Cam to bring in another guard type player. If they decide to just let Jock walk then maybe they just keep Cam and use the cap space to sign another player. Cam, Jock and Nate Williams for Coby White works. But only one year left on his deal. Lonzo Ball also works, but injuries a major concern. 2 years left on his deal at a really reasonable price if he is healthy. Jaden Ivey - Coming off injury, but expected to be full go to start season, would probably also need to throw in a pick(s) Quentin Grimes S&T
Romper room? Look? There are different personality types, Cam wants to play, he believes in himself he is frustrated, it is LITERALLY IME's JOB to get the best out of him. If he can't inspire or get players to play hard or coach em up, ALL PLAYERS - all personality types then he is in the wrong profession. Some need a boot in the ass, some need a hug- his job is to find out what works, to maximize their talents. He spit the bit last year with Reed, Cam and in the playoffs Holiday. If they decide to trade him, and it works out with a ring while we have Durant, or soon after, than great, but if not, and Cam blows up and becomes a star, they should be fired for ****ing it all up. The Rox job is to identify and motivate and coach em up, not sure why that is so hard for some to understand. DD
Just like Kobe Bryant at 18-19......the difference is he had Phil Jackson who knew how to get all personality types to achieve their maximum. If you watch his video you see him doing HIGH LEVEL BBALL IQ things that only basketball savants do, like blocking guys from behind etc, only the great players do that like he does, you see him cutting to the rack and finishing through contact. You see his silky smooth jumper - he is 20 years old.....he and Amen have the highest ceilings on the team. Started video with block on Tatum - lots of good defensive plays around his amazingly effective offense. He is 20 years old - he should be playing this year as 6th man and let him go - he will be a lot better than Jalen ever dreamed of being. DD
Washington has a 26 swap with Phoenix. It would be the perfect team for Cam. They don’t care about winning and he could run wild on offense.
I don't like the trending idea of Ime swapping young players for much older vets ..... the tanking was almost for nothing except for Sengün and Amen. And you would not even have to tank to get a 16th pick.
This will all be decided by Sunday, Cam's contract by itself will not net a good player or a replacement one for 3.5m....you need Landale's 8m expiring, and if no one will take that and the Rox don't trade, I will bet Cam stays here. So, we have 48 hours to see if the RUMOR mongers are right. DD
Coby White would be an amazing pick. I doubt that the Rockets can pull it off. Ditto for Grimes. I'm not interested in Lonzo or Ivey.
Portland Out SG Thybulle and C - Robert Willams+ 2nd rd, Portland IN SG - Cam, C - Landale, SNT SF-Tate
I'm with you on this one. Ellis and LeVine overlap too much. They get Whitmore, who will plug in nicely, and we get Ellis, who we will have to figure out how to sign and stay under the tax apron. Our two deep would then be Thompson and Ellis at SG, which is very doable. With inflation, these tax aprons truly need to be revisited.
Robert Williams is literally broken and Thybulle couldn’t crack the rotation in Portland. I would cry if this trade happened.
If they threw in a 1st, id probably take a chance, cause when healthy they are good players. Worth the risk for first maybe? Both will have recovered from season ending injuries from last year, both didnt play any cause of this.
Whitmore for Cam Johnson makes sense if possible We would go from a horrible shooting team to really solid one with Durant and Cam Johnson. Feels like a really good fit overall. edit...looks like Jock, Holiday and Whitmore works for Cam
we sat on Ego for a year after Harden was gone and we were rebuilding... and got pennies on the dollar when he was finally moved... and the rate we were jettisoning frps (Tyty, Christopher, garuba) was just wasteful... at minimum poor player evaluation...
Yeah I don't want Lonzo really just because of health concerns...Although, Jock + Nate works but obviously Bulls would probably want something else. I think we've still got a few second round picks laying around... Not super interested in Ivey either...Just throwing out some possible names... To me White is probably who I would push for if they want to deal Cam Personally though, I'd just decline Jock's option, use the MLE and keep Cam.
