Lakers predicted to sign $15M explosive former first-round pick to revive career around Luka Doncic

Former first-round pick Cam Whitmore is simply looking for an opportunity to play for the right team in the right situation. He still does not know exactly where that will be, but he is hoping to find the right fit soon.

Whitmore was on the roster bubble with the Washington Wizards before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland ultimately waived him to make room for James Harden.

“The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived Cam Whitmore, league sources told hoopshype. Whitmore, the 20th pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, has averaged 10.5 points on 45% from the field and 35% from 3-point range in 17.3 minutes during three NBA seasons with the Rockets and Wizards,” HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto wrote.

Whitmore still has time to develop into the player many believe he can become. Fadeaway World’s Fran Leiva believes the Los Angeles Lakers could be the team to give him that opportunity.

“Of course, Los Angeles needs to open a roster spot first because they already have too many guaranteed players. But they need to make a move anyway, so if one spot becomes available, I would rather use it on a young player like Whitmore than another veteran. And they don’t need to expect too much from him either. Whitmore doesn’t have to come in and become a starter. Give him 15 or 20 minutes, let him compete with Knecht, Ziaire Williams, Thiero, and the other bench wings, and see if he can earn more,” Leiva wrote

The Lakers also have an opportunity to sign Whitmore to a two-way contract, as he remains eligible for one.

“He does have two-way eligibility, to my understanding," Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer said. "I don't know if Cam Whitmore is necessarily open to a two-way contract, but he doesn't really have guaranteed roster spots to choose from. It might be something he has to consider at a certain point in time."

This would be a low-risk, high-upside pickup for the Lakers if they can get Whitmore on a two-way contract. It would give him another opportunity to prove that he can be an effective volume shooter in a specific role, which could be valuable alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

Whitmore was on a $15 million rookie contract before being released by the Cavaliers. Now, he knows his opportunities are becoming limited, and perhaps signing with a team like the Lakers could help him get his career moving in the right direction.

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