The Rockets have shipped Cam Whitmore to the Wizards in exchange for two future second-round picks, the team confirmed Sunday.
Washington is sending Houston a 2026 second-rounder from the Chicago Bulls and a 2029 pick from the Sacramento Kings, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The deal also brings the draft rights to Mojave King to Houston from the New Orleans Pelicans.
King was originally taken 47th overall by the Lakers in the 2023 draft before his rights bounced around the league – first to Indiana, then to New Orleans last month.
Whispers about Whitmore’s availability had been growing louder since June 27, when Kelly Iko of The Athletic reported the second-year wing was “the subject of a number of trade discussions” in a “situation best described as fluid.”
Whitmore is set to make $3.5 million next season, with Washington holding a $5.5 million team option for 2026-27. The Wizards have until October 31 to decide on that option.
Due to NBA trade rules, Whitmore can’t be packaged with other players in another deal until September 6 – if the Wizards even want to move him again.
Whitmore Looking for Fresh Start
Whitmore, who turns 21 on July 8, was the 20th pick in the 2023 draft after playing at Villanova. He averaged 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 51 games for Houston last season.
His playing time actually dropped as the season progressed, averaging just 16.2 minutes per game.
Despite the limited minutes, Whitmore showed flashes of his potential. He exploded for a career-high 34 points against the Lakers in April, shooting a blistering 68.4% from the field and knocking down 7 three-pointers.
The playoffs were a different story. The Maryland native barely saw the court, playing just 1.7 minutes across three games in Houston’s first-round series.
This trade gives Whitmore a chance to carve out a much bigger role on a rebuilding Wizards team.
Both Teams Reshaping Rosters
The Wizards have been busy this summer, bringing in veteran guard CJ McCollum and center Kelly Olynyk from New Orleans in exchange for Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey.
Washington also added Texas guard Tre Johnson with the 5th pick in last month’s draft.
Houston has made even bigger moves, pulling off a blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant and adding defensive specialist Dorian Finney-Smith and center Clint Capela in free agency.
With Durant’s arrival and Reed Sheppard entering his second year, Whitmore was likely facing an even more limited role under coach Ime Udoka.
Now he’ll have the opportunity to become a breakout star in Washington with significantly more playing time and developmental focus.
