The Lakers came into the summer looking close to done, but the last few weeks have kept their roster picture moving. After major turnover and organizational changes, Los Angeles also spent time circling a move for 23-year-old Jonathan Kuminga. That chase never came together, and now the Lakers still have a hole to fill.
One name being floated as a fit is Cam Whitmore, the recently released former first-round pick. Lake Show Life’s Maxwell Ogden made the case that Whitmore could slot in well next to Luka Doncic, pointing to the way his game could complement the Lakers’ stars.
“As it stands, Whitmore has the catch-and-shoot proficiency to work off of Doncic and help the Lakers space the floor. He's also a bowling ball of a slasher whom defenders bounce off of as he makes his way to the rim and skies for highlight-reel finishes. If Redick can get Whitmore to buy in on defense, then Doncic's history of elevating his teammates' quality of play could be the up-and-comer's ticket to redemption,” Ogden wrote.
Whitmore is still trying to find his footing after not quite living up to first-round expectations. He was part of the Peyton Watson trade that sent him to Cleveland, but the Cavaliers waived him before he could settle in.
“The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived Cam Whitmore, league sources told hoopshype. Whitmore, the 20th pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, has averaged 10.5 points on 45% from the field and 35% from 3-point range in 17.3 minutes during three NBA seasons with the Rockets and Wizards,” HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto wrote.
For Whitmore, that makes this moment feel like a reset. He’s on a $15 million rookie contract before his release, and his next stop will matter. A Lakers offense built around Doncic and Austin Reaves could give him a real runway to stretch his scoring game.
Los Angeles already has plenty of shooting, but Whitmore would bring something different: youth, burst and a scorer trying to prove he belongs. That’s the kind of swing that can be worth taking.
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Lakers Fans Should Watch What Kumingas Wolves Deal Could Mean
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Kumingas deal also comes with a player option after the first year, and his agent has already suggested he could choose to test free agency again next summer. For the Lakers, that means this was not just a missed opportunity in the moment but a reminder that player movement around the league can reopen quickly, especially when a deal is built with flexibility in mind. [Read more 🡒]
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The debate is easy to understand because the names around Doncic set a high bar. Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul have built careers filled with the kind of milestones that usually anchor these lists, while Doncic is still building his own rsum. His talent is obvious, and so is the possibility that he could eventually force his way into that company, but for now the argument lives in projection more than history, which is exactly why it is going to keep stirring up arguments. [Read more 🡒]
Lakers Front Office Shakeup Just Put Luka Doncic Under A Brighter Spotlight
The Lakers recent front-office change has only added to the sense that this season comes with a bigger long-term question hanging over the roster. Luka Doncic has already signaled his commitment to the franchise, which matters because any shift in leadership tends to put the spotlight on the teams most important player and how firmly he fits into the organizations plans.
For now, nothing official has changed, and the Lakers are still operating with the uncertainty that comes with a new direction upstairs. Around the league, though, the idea of a dissatisfied Doncic drawing attention from rivals has already surfaced, with the Golden State Warriors mentioned as a possible suitor if that ever becomes a real opening. It is the kind of backdrop that keeps the Lakers under constant watch, even before the next move is made. [Read more 🡒]