Cam Whitmore's NBA journey has been nothing less than confusing. His per-36 numbers suggest he has the tools to be one of the most explosive scorers in the NBA, but he's played for two teams in three seasons and is now headed to unrestricted free agency late in the 2026 offseason.
That could be good news for the Los Angeles Lakers, however, which have a need for shot creation along the wings and an at least decent reason to take a chance on Whitmore's potential: Luka Doncic tends to bring the best out of his teammates.
Whitmore is 22 years of age and flush with the attributes that one would think would make him a featured piece of a team's rotation. He stands at 6'6" and 230 pounds with a 40.5" vertical and a well-rounded scoring arsenal that's helped him average upward of 20 points per 36 minutes through three seasons.
Unfortunately, the Cleveland Cavaliers don't seem to agree with that assessment. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Cleveland has waived Whitmore, whom they acquired in the five-team Peyton Watson deal, before he could even play a game for them.
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. pic.twitter.com/y4FZJjhbhK
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) August 28, 2026
Though he's a polarizing player with flaws that need to be addressed, Whitmore is too talented for a Lakers team that needs wing depth and has Doncic to ignore.
Lakers should take a chance on Cam Whitmore's untapped potential
Whitmore will enter the 2026-27 season with career averages of 10.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 three-point field goals made in just 17.3 minutes per game. That translates to eye-opening figures of 21.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.8 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
Compounded by the fact that he's been fairly efficient for a young volume scorer at a clip of .450/.349/.712, Whitmore seems to have extreme offensive potential to explore.
The Lakers, meanwhile, have a surplus of athletic wings, but few who specialize in putting the ball in the basket. Quentin Grimes is likely to be an exception to the rule as a potential starter, but Los Angeles has limited scoring depth and a roster full of perimeter players facing concerns over their injury history, shooting, or defense.
Whitmore could thus check a rather essential box as a shot creator who has the tools to work off of Doncic's playmaking after shooting 37.5 percent on catch-and-shoot threes in 2025-26 and 42.8 percent in 2023-24.
Luka Doncic has a long history of elevating teammates
It must be noted that Whitmore has been an inconsistent defender, but if head coach JJ Redick can get him to buy in, there's plenty of upside to explore. If nothing else, Doncic's ability to help players such as Dorian Finney-Smith, Derrick Jones Jr., and P.J. Washington take steps forward in their respective careers bodes well for how he could help Whitmore.
Finney-Smith, for instance, went from shooting 30.3 percent from beyond the arc between his first three seasons to 37.6 percent by the end of Doncic's second year in the NBA.
Jones experienced similar success, going from starting 97 games in seven seasons to becoming a full-time starter next to Doncic on an NBA Finalist. Washington's individual success wasn't necessarily transformed, but he went from never playing a postseason game to reaching the NBA Finals with Doncic, as well.
Though Whitmore is still a fairly enigmatic player, the talent he possesses is nothing short of riveting—and that at least creates reason to believe Doncic could work his magic once again.
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.
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