Nuggets signing Cam Whitmore to two-way contract

The Nuggets had an available two-way spot and an interest in Cam Whitmore. Now they have Cam Whitmore.

Denver is signing the former first-round pick to a two-way contract, Shams Charania of ESPN reported. Whitmore has already joined the Nuggets for workouts in Denver. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype confirmed the agreement, citing league sources.

Whitmore, 22, has averaged 10.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 119 career games with the Rockets and Wizards. He has shot 45 percent from the field and 35 percent from beyond the arc while playing only 17.3 minutes per game.

The Cavaliers acquired Whitmore from Washington last month before waiving him as part of their offseason roster maneuvering. Cleveland remains responsible for his fully guaranteed $5.46 million salary.

That gave Whitmore the freedom to prioritize opportunity over money and made a two-way contract more realistic. As Hoops Wire noted earlier this week, Denver had one two-way opening but faced a substantial luxury-tax cost if it added Whitmore on a standard minimum deal.

The two-way arrangement removes that obstacle while giving the Nuggets a low-risk look at a player selected No. 20 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Whitmore appeared in only 21 games for the Wizards last season before a blood clot in his right shoulder ended his year. His health and conditioning will be monitored, but his scoring ability has never been difficult to see.

Denver needed young, inexpensive upside. Whitmore needed another opportunity. This qualifies as both.