The Bulls and Nuggets are among the teams that have registered some level of interest in Rockets forward Cam Whitmore, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Kelly Iko of The Athletic reported last week that Houston had been engaged in trade discussions involving Whitmore. He’ll earn $3.54MM in 2025/26 with a team option for ’26/27 worth $5.46MM.
Whitmore, who will turn 21 next Tuesday, has seen limited playing time during his first two NBA seasons and has been unable to establish himself as a regular part of the Rockets’ crowded rotation. The former No. 20 overall pick appeared in 51 games this past season, averaging 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 16.2 minutes per night with .444/.355/.750 shooting numbers. He was out of the rotation completely in the playoffs, making just three brief appearances.
According to Scotto, Whitmore was nearly sent from Houston to Phoenix in the Kevin Durant trade, but the Suns opted for additional second-round draft compensation instead.
The Bulls appear to be keeping an eye out for a forward who can score, having been also linked to Warriors restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga earlier this offseason. While Isaac Okoro – who is more of a defensive specialist – doesn’t really fit that bill, it’s worth noting that Scotto says the Bulls’ interest in Whitmore predated their deal to acquire Okoro, so it’s unclear whether Chicago’s interest in a forward – and Whitmore specifically – persists.
The Nuggets, meanwhile, are looking to supplement a talented starting lineup with reliable depth options. While their pathways to upgrades via trades or free agency are limited, Whitmore’s salary is modest enough that he would be a realistic target.
Coby White for Whitmore and a first
Prob would have to add in another younger player or a second rounder
Any ideas on who would be sent to Houston in these possible trades? I also don’t get why Phx would prefer 2nd round picks to this guy’s potential…
i’ve heard from people close to rockets that Whitmore is an a**hole – i mean there must be something up with him if a team would rather have 2nd rd picks than him, especially considering he’s undeniably talented.
Jalen Green & Cam Whitmore probably disliked each other more than any other teammate duo in the league last year so that probably played a part in Cam not being a part of that trade
It wouldn’t surprise me if Whitmore has asked to be traded. You can’t blame him. This 3rd season is critical to getting a big rookie extension, and he’s not going to get the minutes with the Rockets to do that.
He’s probably thinking there are teams where he can be a rotation player now. In Houston, he’s last in line for minutes after Thompson, Jabari, and Eason.
Successful rebuilds come with this kind of problem — if you’ve drafted well, there won’t be enough minutes for ALL your young talent.
Julian Phillips & Chi’s 26 1st
Kobe Bufkin & Atl’s 27 1st (worst bw Atl & SAS)
Hunter Tyson & Den’s 2026 1st
I can promise you that the Bulls aren’t trading any 1sts in this deal. They are perfectly content in sitting this one out.
Bulls need this guy (or Kuminga or Mathurin) badly. No other team in the league has less star potential than them.
Not arguing with you on the star potential part, I don’t see us trading picks away for role players. They even rejected an offer which had Lonzo for a 1st in Feb but did not want to take on Smart’s salary.
PHX still has cap issues so I’m sure they didn’t want to add even more $. As a Rockets fan, CW is extremely talented and exciting, but I really don’t think he’s good at fitting into a structure/scheme that Ime Udoka wants to run. He makes a lot of mental errors and he is like a bull in a china shop with the ball in his hands. Fans have wanted him in the rotation both years and there’s very obviously a disconnect between him and Udoka.
So PWil is definitely gone, right?
I can see the Bulls using him in the Kuminga sign-and-trade, but not with Houston since they really don’t have that much matching salary to give out for him straight up for Whitmore