The Washington Wizards have made several low-key moves during their current rebuild, but none have come close to the outright steal they just pulled off. By acquiring Cam Whitmore from the Houston Rockets in exchange for draft compensation, the Wizards landed a 20-year-old wing with All-Star upside without giving up a single core player. And when you consider his age, contract, and fit within Washington’s long-term plans, it's not even close. This is going to end up being one of the best value moves of the 2025 offseason.
Whitmore is not a long-term project. He already proved last season that he belongs on an NBA floor. Despite limited minutes in Houston’s crowded rotation, he averaged 9.3 points per game and showed off the exact tools that made him a projected lottery pick coming out of Villanova. He comes in with top-tier athleticism, and he's unafraid to attack the rim. When Whitmore plays with pace and confidence, it is hard to find many defenders that can stay in front of him.
This was the kind of swing Washington needed to make. Instead of hoarding second-rounders or chasing aging veterans, they identified a player with real long-term potential who just needed a better situation. And the Wizards are a great landing spot, all things considered. There's enough playing time for him, and also a young core forming here that he actually fits with.
Whitmore is a great fit with the Wizards
Between Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, Alex Sarr, AJ Johnson and now Cam Whitmore, the Wizards suddenly have one of the most exciting groups of under-23 talent in the league. That is not something anyone would have said about this franchise just a couple of years ago. There is now a clear timeline and direction for the organization, and the front office deserves credit for that.
It also helps that Whitmore is still on a rookie deal. That financial flexibility Washington will have moving forward is huge. They can continue to build around this group and eventually consolidate when the time comes. But for now, they have a runway to see who breaks out.
This is the kind of trade smart teams make. Houston gave up on Whitmore too soon, and the Wizards were ready to capitalize. So whether Whitmore becomes a starter or possibly even something better remains to be seen, but the cost of finding out was minimal, and the upside is massive.