Cavs haven’t decided Cam Whitmore’s fate, could explore trade first

The Cavaliers may ultimately waive Cam Whitmore. They just aren’t there yet.

Despite speculation that the Cavs will move on from Whitmore after acquiring him in the five-team Peyton Watson trade, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reports that they have not made a final decision on the 22-year-old forward.

Waiving Whitmore and stretching his expiring $5.5 million salary has been discussed internally, sources told Hoops Wire. Such a move would create additional room below the first apron as the Cavs prepare to officially re-sign James Harden to his new three-year, $97 million contract.

But there’s another possibility first.

Fedor reports the Cavs could explore trading Whitmore for a player making less money, which would accomplish some of the same financial objectives without simply giving him away.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks has said he expects Cleveland to waive and stretch Whitmore, so that’s certainly a possibility. But it appears to be a possibility rather than a decision.

Whitmore officially landed in Cleveland as part of Friday’s completed five-team trade that brought Watson from Denver. The Cavs sent Max Strus to the Clippers, Dennis Schröder to Charlotte and draft capital to the Nuggets, while acquiring Whitmore from Washington.

Whitmore averaged 9.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 21 games for the Wizards last season. The former No. 12 overall pick is still only 22 and carries some upside, which is another reason Cleveland presumably won’t rush to simply cut him if there’s a trade market.

So yes, Whitmore could still be waived.

But first, the Cavs appear willing to see whether they can turn him into something that better fits their roster and their first-apron math.