Washington, D.C. — Wizards head coach Brian Keefe removed third-year forward Cam Whitmore from the rotation after determining the 21-year-old was falling short of the club’s practice standards, according to multiple people familiar with the decision. Keefe said over the weekend that the matter would remain internal, though team sources described the move as part of an emphasis on accountability and daily habits.
Whitmore, acquired from Houston last summer, was expected to make a jump this season. Instead, his production has largely mirrored his first two campaigns: 9.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16.9 minutes, while shooting 45.6 percent from the floor and a career-low 28.6 percent from three-point range.
Rookie forward Will Riley has absorbed most of Whitmore’s minutes, averaging 11.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist over the past three games. Team officials said Whitmore could reclaim a spot if he meets the performance and preparation thresholds Keefe has set for the roster’s young core.
Hornets hope five-day break helps wounded roster
The Charlotte Hornets, down to 11 healthy players in Sunday’s loss to Denver, do not play again until Friday. The pause arrives with LaMelo Ball, Collin Sexton, Tre Mann and Moussa Diabaté recovering from injuries; Grant Williams and Josh Green have yet to appear this season. “Some guys are hurt right now. They should be back by that time, hopefully,” forward Miles Bridges said. “If not, it’s next man up.”
Heat, Magic eye NBA Cup cash
Miami and Orlando meet Tuesday in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, a single-elimination game that already guarantees each player on a standard contract an extra $53,093. The payout jumps to $106,187 for semifinalists, $212,373 for runners-up and $530,933 for the champion. “Anytime you have a chance early in the season to compete for something, it feels like the playoffs,” Heat guard Dru Smith said.
Bane whistled after throwing ball at Anunoby
Late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s Knicks–Magic contest, Orlando guard Desmond Bane rifled the ball at New York’s OG Anunoby, who had tumbled out of bounds. Officials assessed Bane a technical foul, and Madison Square Garden fans booed him on every subsequent touch. Anunoby responded with a shove but chose not to escalate. “I was confused at first, then it was funny,” he said later. “I like Desmond — he’s a good dude.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
