Cam Whitmore Expected to Be Waived by Cavaliers
Cam Whitmore, the No. 20 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, is expected to be waived by the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to one report. The move would make the 22-year-old forward a free agent, potentially drawing interest from the Miami Heat.
Cleveland acquired Whitmore as part of a five-team trade that brought Peyton Watson to the Cavaliers. However, the team is reportedly likely to trade or waive Whitmore rather than pay his $5.4 million salary for the upcoming season. By waiving and stretching his contract, Cleveland could save $3.6 million.
Whitmore's journey in the NBA has been turbulent since he was drafted by the Houston Rockets. He spent time with the Washington Wizards before being traded to Cleveland in the recent multi-team deal. Reports indicate he failed to prove his worth with the Wizards, where he was benched last season due to poor defense and a lack of passing.
Heat Linked as Potential Suitor
According to a separate report, the Miami Heat may be interested in signing Whitmore to address their perceived lack of depth. The Heat recently made a bold trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, sending out several rotation players and creating holes in their lineup.
With a projected starting lineup that could feature Giannis, Klay Thompson, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, and Davion Mitchell, Miami is looking to add bench pieces. Whitmore could compete for forward minutes behind veterans like Bobby Portis and Tim Hardaway.
Adding Whitmore would give the Heat youthful athleticism, a quality that is scarce on a roster filled with veterans. His ability to attack the basket could provide a spark off the bench, though his defensive shortcomings and limited playmaking remain concerns.
Whitmore's Draft Fall and NBA Struggles
Whitmore was once considered a surefire lottery pick after a standout freshman season at Villanova, where he was named Big East Freshman of the Year. However, poor predraft workouts and interviews raised questions about his passing and personality, causing him to slide to the Rockets at No. 20.
In the NBA, Whitmore has shown explosive athleticism and scoring ability but has not developed other facets of his game. He averaged just 0.7 assists in college and has only slightly improved in the pros, posting 0.8 assists against 0.9 turnovers per game. His defense has been described as disinterested, leading to a benching in Washington.
A blood clot issue prematurely ended his season last year, preventing him from rejoining the rotation. He has yet to demonstrate he can contribute to winning basketball at the NBA level.
Other Potential Destinations
Beyond Miami, the Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, and Golden State Warriors have been mentioned as possible landing spots for Whitmore. If he clears waivers, he could sign with any team, but he may also end up in the G League if no NBA team offers him a roster spot.
Whitmore's age and athleticism give him a chance to revive his career in the right environment. Whether he can overcome the concerns about his passing, defense, and attitude will determine if he can remain in the league.