The Houston Rockets aren’t anticipated to pursue main roster strikes this offseason after finishing their blockbuster commerce for Kevin Durant, however the franchise is actively exploring choices to commerce Cam Whitmore.
With the Rockets having already re-signing Fred VanVleet on a two-year, $50 million contract extension, the group is now targeted on fine-tuning their roster round their new Large Three of Durant, Alperen Sengun, and VanVleet whereas creating expanded alternatives for rookie Reed Sheppard.
“When it comes to grand strikes, the roster is ready, however there are issues that they may do across the edges with exceptions, with signings in free company,” NBA insider Shams Charania mentioned Thursday on ESPN’s Get Up.
The Athletic’s Charania particularly highlighted Whitmore as a possible commerce candidate, noting the younger guard has generated vital curiosity from a number of groups throughout the league.
“There is a contract that they’ve as effectively—a participant in Cam Whitmore, younger participant with expertise that has gotten curiosity across the league as effectively,” Charania defined. “That is somebody that you may, when you’re the Rockets, you may probably transfer him for draft capital or a participant that may enable you to now.”
Charania indicated the Rockets are significantly interested by pursuing a defensive-minded wing participant that helps them substitute Dillon Brooks, who was a part of their commerce package deal for Durant.
“If they’ll go into free company, if they’ll look into trades, I feel a participant that is form of the ilk of a Dillon Brooks—a wing-type participant that may form of shore up that spot—that could possibly be of curiosity for the Rockets,” the ESPN insider mentioned.
Whitmore, the twentieth total choose within the 2023 NBA Draft, confirmed flashes of potential throughout his rookie marketing campaign however discovered restricted minutes in Houston’s deep rotation. Final season, Whitmore averaged 9.4 factors and three.0 rebounds in 16.2 minutes throughout 51 video games.
Whitmore’s athleticism and scoring skill have caught the eye of rebuilding franchises trying so as to add younger expertise, making him a gorgeous commerce asset for Houston’s entrance workplace led by basic supervisor Rafael Stone. Whitmore was initially anticipated to be a prime choose within the 2023 draft earlier than slipping to the Rockets.
