The Houston Rockets have been the darlings of the offseason so far. Their flagship move was to acquire the services of superstar mercenary Kevin Durant. A fleet of smaller, supporting moves has followed. The Houston harbor is left looking crowded for a couple of the team’s young players from last season. What role will there be to play in 2025-26 for Reed Sheppard and Cam Whitmore, and could the latter be traded?
Rockets May Trade Another Exciting Young Player
The Rockets’ Two Young Project Players
To be clear, Sheppard’s and Whitmore’s circumstances are not the same. As it stands, after trading Jalen Green to acquire Durant, Sheppard is one of the only remaining guards on the roster. Even so, Sheppard’s role may roll over from last season. Durant will take on the majority of Green’s ball-handling responsibility. Star 22-year-old Amen Thompson will probably assume more of those responsibilities this season, as well. Meanwhile, after his 50 million dollar extension, the table-setting role of Chelsea Clinton – that is, Fred VanVleet – is unlikely to be diminished by much. The team even re-signed Aaron Holiday, who was mostly favored over Sheppard last season.
Still, the Rockets’ acquisitions being so frontcourt-heavy does imply at least a degree of confidence in Sheppard. If he can actually shoot the ball accurately in 2025-26, then he’ll get opportunities to do so.
Can Cam Whitmore Get Traded?
The same confidence doesn’t seem to be there in Whitmore. The explosive dunker hasn’t done much to inspire it. The question with Whitmore is less about his minutes and more about whether he’ll still be on the team by opening night.
Whitmore’s valuation as a prospect cratered in his second year in the league. To start 2024-25, he had difficulty finding his shot. He improved to 35.5% from three-point territory by year’s end, which should be a serviceable number for a wing with his kind of explosiveness. But it’s Whitmore’s lack of intangibles that holds him back. His decision-making and effort are questionable. 35.5% from three isn’t the kind of Buddy Hield-style marksmanship needed to make up for it.
The Rockets don’t necessarily need to move on from Whitmore. The main casualty from last season will instead be Jock Landale. His contract has a team option next season, which the Rockets can no longer afford. After reacquiring Clint Capela and re-signing Steven Adams, the Rockets have no use for him at center anyway. Whitmore could remain on the team as wing depth.
But with Durant on board, the Rockets definitely aren’t in the position to be trialing project pieces anymore. Sheppard and Whitmore had short leashes last season. This season, there may be no time for walkies at all. The Rockets may even feel like they’re doing Whitmore a favor by finding another team for him. Trading him for a pick would give the Rockets increased long-term flexibility and let Whitmore potentially find his way to earning minutes for a more patient organization.
It’s even possible the decision to end Whitmore’s tenure with the Rockets has already been made. Whitmore’s contract may wind up being included in the sign-and-trade deal to acquire Capela from the Atlanta Hawks.
The Last Word
Whitmore’s an exciting young player who many Rockets fans had high hopes for after his unexpected fall in the 2023 draft. His explosive acceleration, powerful frame, elite finishing, and uncheckable confidence seemed to give him a floor and ceiling combination of a super prospect. But thanks to growth from stars Thompson and Alperen Sengun, Houston’s timetable has accelerated even beyond Whitmore. 2025-26 looks set as an exciting year for Houston. Without Whitmore, the Rockets’ garbage time might be less so.
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