Cavs still ‘working through’ Cam Whitmore situation, trade remains possibility

Cam Whitmore remains a member of the Cavaliers. How much longer that remains the case is still being sorted out.

Spencer Davies of Cavs Roundtable said on the latest episode of Courtside with Cavs that he reached out regarding Whitmore’s status and was told the organization is “working through it.”

That would seem to reinforce what has been reported since Cleveland acquired Whitmore as part of the five-team Peyton Watson trade: He’s a Cavalier at the moment, but there’s no guarantee he’ll remain one.

“When I reached out, I was basically told they’re working through it, so that doesn’t sound great for Cam Whitmore’s time here in Cleveland,” Davies said. “I would assume that he would get rerouted in a separate trade.”

Davies also pointed to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, who has suggested the Cavs could waive Whitmore and stretch his salary to help accommodate James Harden‘s new contract.

As Hoops Wire relayed last week, however, no final decision had been made. Cleveland has also explored the possibility of trading Whitmore for a player making less money rather than simply waiving him.

That possibility remains particularly interesting. Whitmore is only 22 and averaged 9.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 21 games for Washington last season before a blood clot in his right shoulder ended his season.

He’s healthy now and still young enough that another team could see value in taking a shot. Davies suggested the Cavs could potentially seek another backup big or a versatile wing if Whitmore is rerouted.

The issue remains the math. Whitmore’s roughly $5.4 million salary complicates the Cavs’ efforts to fit Harden’s reported three-year, $97 million deal beneath the first apron.

So they have options. Trade him. Waive and stretch him. Perhaps find another solution entirely.

All we know now, though, is that they’re still working through it.