Wizards get a steal by landing 20-year-old scorer via trade

The Washington Wizards are embracing their rebuild. On Saturday, they acquired Cam Whitmore from the Houston Rockets. Washington sent out two future second-round picks as part of the deal.

Whitmore was the 20th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. However, as the Rockets have constructed a contending roster over the last 12 months, Whitmore's long-term role with the franchise has diminished. The arrival of Kevin Durant and Dorian Finney-Smith likely ended his chances of playing time under Ime Udoka.

Washington has swooped in to offer Whitmore a lifeline. When watching him play, it's clear that he has 20-points-per-game potential, and could become a fearsome three-level scorer at the NBA level. The Wizards also needed a new flamethrower after trading Jordan Poole to the New Orleans Pelicans earlier this summer.

Whitmore fits everything the Wizards are trying to build. He can play fast. He has solid size and length for his position, and he could develop into a reliable defender. Putting him on a roster with Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly means the Wizards now have a young trio they can build around. 

"Whitmore, a 6-foot-7 wing, averaged 10.8 points over two years in Houston. Last season he scored 0.46 points per touch, fourth best among players to record 1,000 touches, according to ESPN Research," Shams Charania reported for ESPN.

It's possible that Washington will be a playoff team next season. The additions of Kelly Olynyk and CJ McCollum have given the franchise good balance across the board. However, if it features Whitmore's scoring from the wings, there's a chance that his value could skyrocket, especially if he shows out in the playoffs or Play-In Tournament.

The Wizards took a swing at a buy-low prospect. Now, they've got someone with the potential to be an elite scorer for the next decade. Washington's rebuild is starting to take shape. It won't be long until it starts making noise in the Eastern Conference.