Cam Whitmore traded to Wizards for 2 2nd round picks

What DD calls haters are what most people call astute observers,

 

Neither he nor Jalen will and then people will come up with other excuses for why these players never seem to fulfill their potential. They were two sides of the same coin. Cam was a more consistent scorer but Jalen was the better playmaker. In the end they were both dumb AF.

 

I do find it ironic that the ones who hated Jalens lunchpail attitude of showing up and doing what your told; are the same ones who love Cams entitled i deserve playing time attitude without earning it.

 

So the Cam Whitmore trade was a 3-fold necessity:

1. get the Rockets under the apron (salary cap implications),

2. restock 2nd round picks traded away in the Durant deal.

3. sending Cam to his choice destination, making him happy and the Rockets locker room, for the moment full of guys that have bought into Ime’s philosophy.


Cam is as intriguing a talent as the Rockets have ever had. But 2 years into his career, he hasn’t grabbed the bull by the horn. I get it, he was perhaps jealous/hurt that Jalen Green kept getting minutes over him; but Jalen put in the effort defensively which Ime and the Rockets drastically respected.

The Phoenix Suns fans seem to be embracing Jalen Green. Once again, Jalen Green will be able to run free and wild like he did with KPJ. Maybe this time he realizes that he’s got to despise losing instead of being jolly as the loses mount.

Phoenix wanted no part of Cam, which is somewhat telling where he stands.

 

At the time of the KD trade, I said that Whitmore was to be included - but the Suns opted for a couple of second round picks instead. The Rockets were already shopping Cam Whitmore and didn't find anyone that would take Whitmore for two seconds, so the trade was leaked before Cam was moved.

The reality is that Cam is not highly valued by the Rockets or the rest of the NBA. He is a very poor passer, defensively he struggles and hasn't shown any real ability to play withing a team concept. Guys like that have very little value on winning teams in 2025. Look at guys like Normal Powell and Cam Thomas as examples of guys that "made it" with that type of game, and look at their actual value around the league. Cam's agent also wanted Cam out of Houston.

As I said at the time of the KD trade - the Suns did not want Jalen Green either, but the Rockets would not budge and the Rockets tried to find a third team to take Green, but no one wanted him. Thus, Green went to Phoenix. Green's issue is that he was not efficient, consistent or good enough for the role that the Rockets wanted Green to fill, and for the money he makes. His size limits his defensive upside, and while he improved as a passer, he isn't elite at it.

This is the reality of the situation - and we can discuss whether the Rockets made mistakes drafting these guys or not, but it is all water under the bridge moving forward.

Also - there is this narrative that Udoka and Stone only want veterans, that isn't the case, they want players that play the right way that lead to winning basketball. Some young guys get it, and some do not. Amen and Sheppard have shown some degree of aptitude for it, and Cam and Green overall did not show enough.

 

He can do what Cam Thomas has done in NJ, he can get 20-25 a night if he gets 30-35 minutes a night - but I don't think they win a lot of games.

 

No - the Rockets were actively shopping Cam before the draft, and they never got an offer for a #1 pick from anyone. The best they got is the deal offered.

I am not happy with what they got - but I expected at best very hard to convey 1st or a pair of 2nds.

 

Jalen came into a very difficult situation when he entered the league - he adjusted and gave strong effort for Udoka.

It just didn't quite work out - and sometimes it is no one's fault.

 

Physical gifts and offensive talent will only get you so far.

From the way the past two years played out Cam looks like the really hot girl who seems funny and smart but is always single.

It's a shame, I was really high on him during his rookie year. Hopefully he can work it out and grow up a bit in Washington.

 

I fully expect Cam to put up decent/good scoring #s with more playing time on a losing team that does not demand defensive effort or smart team ball on offense. And then we're going to get nonstop "trading Cam was a massive blunder" from the Whitmore brigade. And they will still be just as wrong then as they are now.

 

that guy’s a famous watch aficionado

 

Correct, people seem to think that Stone didn't do his due diligence and gave Cam away to the first team that answered the phone. The TRUTH is that Cam isn't valued around the league like some of the people in this forum value him. Be disappointed all you want, but again the fact of the matter is that he wasn't as valuable as you thought and the Rockets viewed him as empty calories. The rest of the NBA unfortunately agreed with us and we weren't able to trick them into giving us anymore than his going rate, cap relief and 2 second rounders. All these front offices are talking to each other guys...

 

The Rockets did have 1st Rd Pick offers, but chose Cam Whitmore wanted destination in Washington DC, close to his Hometown Baltimore.

Rafael Stone wanted to be in good graces with Agents around the League instead of forcing Cam to go somewhere that he can't get playing time.

Agents, Media will compliment and have great feelings toward the Rockets. Get great publicity. Great for Future Draftees and Free Agent Signings.

 

Sure, he's right up there with Hakeem & Yao & Ralph Sampson & etc etc etc

 

So many reasons, Bad Coach in Stephen Silas.

Never got a True Point Guard since his Rookie Year that can pass and playmake for others

Bad Teammates around Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun in Kevin Porter and Christian Wood.

John Wall should've played and would've helped teach Jalen Green especially.

Rafael Stone did botch the Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun development their Rookie Year. Alperen Sengun not playing and letting Christian Wood play selfish. Held onto Christian Wood so long that he didn't have any value and got less value for him.

Kevin Porter playing Iso ball. Jalen Green being a stand in the corner shooter. Kevin Porter off court trouble ruined him.

Eric Gordon looking miserable on the Team.

Selected Usman Garuba, Josh Christopher over Quentin Grimes.

 

I was told that the Rockets did not have any first-round draft pick offer for Cam Whitmore. That the Rockets waited in an effort to get one and it never materialized. So IDK.

 

I fully expect Cam to average upwards of 20 points a game next season. I fully expect a backlash from Cam Whitmore ardent supporters here on clutch fans. And I don’t expect there to be much substance to any winning that Washington does…. With the squad they have they may be a borderline play-in team…. But sometimes guys like Cam Whitmore keep you winning enough to prevent you from being a bottom dweller; but they don’t have the talent and ecumenical ability to make you elite.

Dunks might get a fella on the Highlight reels, but those don’t usually amount to anything besides empty stats.

 

While I have criticized Stone before - one thing that I will never accuse him of being is rash, he always makes his calls before he makes deals. This isn't a Pau Gasol type situation. The Rockets talked to teams before and after the KD deal became public in an attempt to get a firm idea of what they could get for Cam Whitmore.