Cam Whitmore in Line to See Minutes Boost in Debut Season

As the night of the 2023 NBA Draft wore on, Cam Whitmore’s hopes likely seemed dimmer.

A highly-lauded prospect, projected to go as high as fourth, Whitmore fell further and further as the night progressed. Eventually, he landed in the arms of the team that had reportedly considered taking him fourth: the Houston Rockets.

Now, the rookie forward is primed to see as many minutes as his talent will allow in year one.

Some of Whitmore's added minutes could be due to Houston guard Kevin Porter Jr.’s alleged assault of his girlfriend, which not only has his Rockets future in jeopardy, but his status as an NBA player in general.

There’s no question that Porter Jr.'s potential exit from the Rockets would bolster Whitmore’s opportunity. The guard played 35 minutes a night, getting plenty of shots off nightly as one of the lead handlers.

But even more than potentially losing a key contributor, Houston certainly has need for a hyper-athletic forward with a knack for seeing the ball through the hoop, as showcased by Whitmore taking home the 2023 Summer League MVP award. In six games, he averaged 19.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game, helping the Rockets to the championship game in the process.

Of course, he won’t see that kind’ve production or opportunity with the main roster as a rookie. Especially as a good bit of his shots weren’t necessarily the highest IQ plays.

But there’s no question that if Whitmore can play within his means and contribute positively early, he'll be given ample minutes.

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