The Denver Nuggets are making a low-key move that could pay off huge, snatching up free agent guard Cam Whitmore on a two-way NBA contract. This isn’t just another depth signing; it’s a massive shot for a former first-round pick whose career has been in a serious tailspin, and the Nuggets are betting they can turn it around. Whitmore has already joined the team for workouts in Denver, so this thing is kicking off right now.
From First Rounder to the Trade Block Express
Dude, Whitmore was a 2023 first-round pick, taken 20th overall by the Houston Rockets. That’s real draft capital right there! He actually had a solid rookie season, averaging 12.3 points over 47 games. But then, man, things just went south fast. His minutes, his scoring, his efficiency, everything dipped the very next year. Last season? Yikes. He put up an alarming 52.8 True Shooting percentage, largely because he was launching 7.5 three-pointers a game but only converting a dismal 28.6% of them. It was rough to watch a former first-round talent struggle like that. The guy has been on a wild ride through the league in just a few seasons. He got traded from the Rockets to the Washington Wizards in 2025 as part of that C.J. McCollum/Jordan Poole deal. Then, this offseason, he was traded AGAIN to the Cleveland Cavaliers as a small piece of the larger Peyton Watson trade. The irony? He’s now landed in Denver, the team that actually traded Watson. Talk about coming full circle for a player who’s clearly looking for a fresh start.
Denver’s Low-Risk, High-Upside Play
For Whitmore, this two-way deal is a lifeline, a genuine “opportunity to resurrect a quickly dying career.” But let’s be real, a two-way contract means he’s effectively buried on the roster alongside K.J. Simpson and Bryce Hopkins. Opportunities will probably be sparse. The Nuggets currently have 14 guaranteed contracts and now three two-way players. However, there’s a silver lining in Denver’s talent-packed roster: Whitmore will enjoy relative anonymity on the court. He’ll likely be left open way more than he ever was in Houston or Washington. If he can knock down those open looks, that could totally help improve his efficiency numbers. For the Nuggets, this is a brilliant low-risk move. Whitmore doesn’t count against their cap, and he adds another veteran to their deep reserves. If they can somehow get him back to even his rookie level of play, even with fewer minutes, he’d be an absolute steal on a two-way contract. Plus, the Nuggets still have an open roster spot, which means they could elevate Whitmore to a full roster spot later if he really starts playing well. That’s a huge incentive for him.
So, what’s next? Whitmore is already in Denver, putting in the work. Every rep, every workout, every moment matters. Can he find that rookie magic again? Can he prove that he’s worth more than a two-way deal? The Nuggets are giving him the chance. Keep an eye on those efficiency numbers, because if he clicks, this could be a major win for both Whitmore and the team.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Denver Stiffs.
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