The Nuggets have shown up as a team to keep an eye on in the Cam Whitmore sweepstakes, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
Whitmore, who went 20th overall in the 2023 NBA draft, was dealt last month from Washington to Cleveland before the Cavaliers waived him as part of a cost-cutting move while they finished their preseason roster business. He’s now a free agent looking for his next landing spot.
The 22-year-old has already logged meaningful NBA time. Across 98 games with the Rockets, including five starts, he put up 10.8 points and 3.4 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per night while shooting .449/.357/.707. Houston sent him to Washington during the 2025 offseason, and he appeared in 21 games for the Wizards last season, averaging 9.2 points and 2.8 rebounds on .456/.286/.742 shooting.
His third season ended early after he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder. In mid-January, the Wizards said he would miss the rest of the season. Whitmore later said in the spring that he expected to return and bounce back in 2026/27.
Denver’s roster situation leaves at least some room for intrigue. The Nuggets currently have 14 players on standard contracts, which means there is technically a spot open on the projected 15-man regular season roster. But whether they actually fill it is another matter, since the team is deep into luxury tax territory and even a minimum contract would come with a steep tax hit.
If Denver does decide to carry 15 players, Whitmore could be in the mix for that final opening and would be competing with veteran guard Lonnie Walker IV. He also has one season of two-way eligibility left, and the Nuggets have a two-way slot available next to KJ Simpson and Bryce Hopkins.
There’s also the financial wrinkle that could shape his decision. Whitmore will still receive his fully guaranteed $5.46MM salary for 2026/27 from Cleveland, which could make fit more important than immediate money. If that’s the priority, he may be open to a two-way deal with Denver or another team, with the idea of earning a rotation role first and a standard contract later on.
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