The Denver Nuggets' offseason has looked more like a late-night infomercial for a leaking water tank, with someone trying to sell you a patch to keep the water from slowly trickling out. The Nuggets are now full of small patches. And the latest rumor is that the Nuggets are interested in another patch, but Cam Whitmore should only be signed under one condition: he takes the final two-way spot.
Whitmore hit the free-agency market just after the Peyton Watson sign-and-trade that sent Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Whitmore also came to the Cavs as part of the same five-team trade from the Washington Wizards. But the Cavs waived him and stretched his salary for the season, parting ways with the 6-foot-6 wing, opening the door for the Nuggets to show interest, as reported by NBA insider Marc Stein in the newest edition of The Stein Line (subscription required).
"The Nuggets, I'm told, have emerged as a team to watch in pursuit of Cam Whitmore," Stein said.
Whitmore was the 20th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and he has offensive upside. That's why the Nuggets should take a flier on Whitmore for the final open two-way spot.
The two-way spot is perfect for Whitmore
Whitmore's been in the league for three years, and two-way contracts are only available to players who have played in the league for four years or less. So the Nuggets could sign him for one year to see how the former first-round talent develops while sharing time playing in the G League. He needs a lot of development, which is another reason the Nuggets should only add Whitmore to the final two-way spot despite having roster space for one more standard contract.
The 22-year-old forward has shown athletic scoring talent. Whitmore has averaged 10.5 points in just 17.3 minutes across 119 career games, which translates to 21.8 per 36 minutes. He's great at going downhill to the rim or getting out in transition, and he excels at cutting and slashing off the ball. But that's where his strengths end, which is why Whitmore needs more development time.
Whitmore is only a mediocre, at-best three-point shooter, and he shot just 28.6% from deep in 21 games with the Wizards last year before deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder derailed his season, causing him to miss the remainder.
Whitmore also isn't a playmaker, averaging only 0.8 assists per game in his career. His defense needs work off the ball, and he's only serviceable on the ball. But with some development, the first-round potential is there.
That's why the Nuggets have no business signing Whitmore to the 15th and final roster spot. But they should absolutely take a flier on Whitmore for the final two-way spot.
Add us as a preferred source on Google