Breaking NBA Trade: Rockets & Wizards Pull Off Deal For Promising Young Forward

The Washington Wizards have made a nice move, acquiring small forward Cam Whitmore from the Houston Rockets.

The Houston Rockets are trading Cam Whitmore to the Washington Wizards for two second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. The deal gives Whitmore a tremendous opportunity for an increased role as he turns 21 on Tuesday and returns to the DMV area. pic.twitter.com/8BaBsVxjN2
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 5, 2025

It's a terrific pickup for the Wizards, who merely send two second-round picks to Houston.

Whitmore was looking for a bigger opportunity, as he wasn't going to be getting much playing time on the rebuilt Rockets, who are in 'win-now' mode. But his numbers, in limited minutes, were impressive. And in his handful of games as a starter, he showed enticing all-around skills, averaging 20 points and 6.8 rebounds with 1.2 blocks and 47% shooting from beyond the arc.

Cam Whitmore as a starter:

20.2 PPG
6.8 RPG
1.2 BPG
54.1 FG%
46.9 3P%

Going to Washington. pic.twitter.com/wGm8KXGij6
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 5, 2025

Whitmore is just 21, and gives the Wizards seven promising rotation players at that age or younger, as he joins Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Tre Johnson, AJ Johnson, Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George.

Whitmore was viewed as a top-10 pick or higher going into the 2023 NBA Draft but the Rockets got him as a steal with the 20th pick.

Overall, in 98 games over his first two seasons in the league, the 6'7" forward is averaging 10.8 points and 3.4 rebounds in just 17.4 minutes per game (his Per-36 minutes numbers are 22.3 points and 7.0 boards).

It looks like a steal for the Wizards.

As for the Rockets, they've brought in Kevin Durant and Clint Capela this offseason, and needed a little cap room as they're ready to go all-in in 2025-26.

Whitmore will earn $3.5 million this coming season, with a club option for $4.5 million in 2026-27, before becoming a restricted free agent.