The Houston Rockets are exploring various ways to upgrade their roster this offseason after making the NBA playoffs following a 52-win regular season.
Despite their playoff journey ending quickly in the first round against the Golden State Warriors, the future is bright in Houston. However, one of the Rockets’ recent first-round picks has struggled to find his footing and could be better off playing elsewhere.
From the sounds of things, a fresh start could be in his future.
Rockets Reportedly Receiving Interest Regarding Cam Whitmore
According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, Rockets wing Cam Whitmore has generated interest from a handful of teams across the league.
Whitmore has struggled to carve out a role in head coach Ime Udoka’s rotation, but Iko adds that neither the former first-round pick nor his representation has requested a trade and wants to find a solution.
It’s not surprising to hear that other teams inquired about Whitmore’s availability. The former Villanova standout has spent the last two years playing with the Rockets and their G-League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
This season with the Rockets, Whitmore averaged 9.4 points and 3.0 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game (51 games). This is a notable difference from his rookie season, where he averaged 12.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in 18.7 minutes per game (49 games).
The 20-year-old wing also shot 44.4 percent from the field and 35.5 percent from beyond the arc on 3.6 attempts per game.
Meanwhile, this season in the G League, Whitmore posted 19.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 28.7 minutes per game. He also shot 50.6 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from deep on 8.3 attempts per game.
Granted, the G League plays at a faster pace than the NBA, which leads to some more defensive breakdowns. It's still good to see Whitmore producing and showcasing why he was a first-round pick.
Given his upside and talent, it's too early for the Rockets to give up on Whitmore. The former first-round pick could get more minutes next season, depending on what the Rockets do in the offseason. JaeSean Tate and Jeff Green are both scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next month.