Wizards’ Cam Whitmore admits ‘bright future’ despite 1-9 start

The Washington Wizards they see what sticks as they try to develop young players several times, and third-year forward Cam Whitmore is one of the most unpredictable. The 21-year-old has failed to score in double figures in six of his 10 games this season, but recorded a game-high 19 during Saturday’s 111-105 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

Whitmore explained to ClutchPoints after the game that he is still not used to playing with Wizards yet.

“No, not yet. It’s still early. I think game nine or game 10, whatever it is,” he said. “But I’m still getting used to a new environment and a new team. I’m trying to build chemistry with these guys. … I’m still trying to figure out what my role is and how I can fit in. … But I feel like we have a bright future, to be honest.”

Washington acquired Whitmore from the Houston Rockets for two second-round picks in July, so he’s not part of a young draft class headlined by second-year center Alex Sarr, second-year wing Keeshon George and rookie guard Tre Johnson. However, the Maryland native is auditioning to be in the team’s long-term plans.

Part of why Whitmore’s production has been inconsistent is his playing time. The 6-foot-6, 230-pounder played at least 13 minutes every game in October, but is already three games under that mark in November. Additionally, he played just eight minutes in Wednesday’s 136-107 loss to the Boston Celtics and five in Friday’s 148-115 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Head Coach Brian Keefe claimed before the last competition that Whitmore’s fluctuation in minutes had “nothing to do with his game,” according to Varun Shankar of the Washington Post. A day later, he set the former Villanova Wildcat to a record 29 minutes, breaking his previous high of 21.

Whitmore’s up-and-down usage is a product of Keefe’s early-season lineup experimentation. For example, the second-year coach has played 22-year-old guard Malachi Branham in each of the last three games after previously giving him no minutes. By comparison, 24-year-old forward Justin Champagne has started three of the last four games after playing a total of 21 minutes this season before the Wizards’ 119-102 loss to the New York Knicks on Nov. 3. He also gave second-round pick Jameer Watkins his first extended action Friday and fellow rookie Will Riley the previous 3 minutes after recording the previous 3 minutes after 3 minutes of play.

There are only so many minutes to go in each game, and Keefe is using the first part of the 2025-26 campaign to evaluate each player on the roster. Ultimately, the Wizards will likely send some players to the G League for development and to free up more minutes in their rotation, which general manager Will Dawkins mentioned he would in his preseason press conference, via Chase Hughes of the Monumental Sports Network. When that happens, Whitmore will have less competition.

The 2023 No. 20 overall pick can also force Keefa out by continuing to play like he did Saturday. He shot 7-13 (3-6 3-point) from the field with three rebounds and no turnovers after shooting 5-14 and totaling four turnovers in the previous four games. His improved play was attributed in part to playing inside the offense and not forcing bad shots or running into the crowd defenders, which he has done several times this season.

If Whitmore consistently takes advantage of his explosiveness and athleticism in Washington’s team system, there’s no reason why he won’t have more nights like Saturday.

Wizards discuss learnings from Cavaliers loss

Washington was competitive the injury-ravaged Mavericksbut not against Cleveland. Veteran guard CJ McCollum discussed after the game what the Wizards could learn from The Cavaliers, who finished first in the Eastern Conference last season and were in the playoffs three years in a row.

CJ McCollum on what the Wizards can learn from the Cavs:

“Their ball movement, their sharpness. The ability to rebound, the second-chance opportunities, the way they spray for threes… They obviously have a very good team… Experienced, been to the playoffs…” pic.tvitter.com/vIAIgMgKSCH

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) November 8, 2025

“Their ball movement, sharpness. Rebounding ability, second-chance opportunities, how they spray for threes,” the 34-year-old said. “I think all those things are important. They obviously have a very unique team with size, athleticism and skill. An experienced team, they’ve been there, they’ve been to the playoffs. You can learn a lot from the way they play. I’m sure the way they play in practice helps them succeed in games.”

Johnson also mentioned theirs intensity on the glass.

I asked Tre Johnson what the Wizards can learn from the Cavs:

“The way they rebounded offensively. The way their guys went down. I boxed and they kept going, so I feel like we can definitely learn from that.”

The Cavs outshot the Wies 25-16 on the offensive glass. pic.twitter.com/hhOKK4fgAL

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) November 8, 2025

“The way they bounce back offensively. The way their guys have been going down,” the No. 6 overall pick said. “I boxed and they kept going, so I feel like we could definitely learn from that.”

All of the above factors are part of why the Wizards have yet to have a close game against an elite team this year. In addition to losses to Cleveland and New York, they fell 127-108 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 30, while Boston defeated them without superstar Jayson Tatum (Achilles tendon). All of those opponents at least advanced to the conference semifinals last season, and the Thunder won the title.

Washington shouldn’t be expected to beat those rebuilding teams, but more competitive outings would show improvement. On the other hand, there’s still plenty to feel good about, with Sarr shooting 13.3 percent from the field as a rookie, George nearly doubling his scoring average and Johnson shooting 37 percent from deep to start his career.

The next step is for that individual growth to lead to victories.