Cam Whitmore problem the Rockets just don't have time to sort out

The Houston Rockets have made a lot of changes.

The "core seven" is no more. That group has been whittled down to 6. Jalen Green is a Sun.

Most of the rest of their young group feels safe. The Rockets seem to have faith in Reed Sheppard. He's likely to get a better opportunity before he's shipped out. Jabari Smith Jr. has been extended, and everyone else is a no-brainer:

Besides Cam Whitmore.

It's highly unlikely that Whitmore is going to be a prominent part of next year's rotation. With the addition of Dorian Finney-Smith, his minutes will likely decline in 2025-26. Whitmore has issues that keep him off the floor:

And the Rockets can't wait for him to figure them out.

Rockets' Whitmore is unfinished product

Sam Veccine of the Game Theory Podcast concurs.

"I really believe in the upside...I don't think we're going to see it in Houston."

-Sam Veccine, The Game Theory Podcast

Veccine is right. Whitmore has undeniable potential. A burly 6'5" guard/wing, Whitmore is strong and has ample burst. He's got the body control to use those physical advantages to score in isolation. At 20 years old, Whitmore has plenty of opportunity to improve.

Unfortunately, potential is becoming increasingly irrelevant to the Rockets. At the risk of beating a dead horse, Whitmore has holes in his game. He's a remarkably unwilling passer, and he has a habit of getting lost on the defensive end of the floor. It's unlikely that Udoka will trust him more this year than he will next year:

That's why his time in Houston is likely running up.

Rockets' Whitmore could get traded

When the Rockets signed Clint Capela, there was no shortage of speculation. Some fans thought it meant Alperen Sengun was getting shipped out.

Others had an alternate theory. With the Rockets approaching the first apron of their payroll, it seemed likely that someone would be on the way out. Some fans were bracing themselves for Whitmore to head to Atlanta in a sign-and-trade.

It didn't happen. Still, the reaction was telling. Rockets fans are bracing for Whitmore to leave, and with good reason. The Rockets no longer have developmental reps to spare.

In a sense, the situation is unfortunate. The Rockets likely won't play Whitmore much, which means they won't increase his trade value. He's likely to be a wash. That's fine - teams don't expect a tremendous return on investment from the 20th overall pick. That said, Whitmore isn't your typical 20th pick.

He slipped from the high lottery due to concerns about his on-court awareness. Those concerns have been validated, but Whitmore is clearly more talented than his draft pedigree suggests. He's just unlikely to use those talents in Houston:

Unless something changes.