WASHINGTON — Cam Whitmore’s role continued to shrink Friday night in Cleveland despite multiple absences on the Washington Wizards’ wing rotation.
With Bilal Coulibaly sidelined by lower-left-leg tightness and Kyshawn George out due to illness, Whitmore logged just five first-quarter minutes in a 123-92 loss to the Cavaliers. According to The Washington Post, it marked the fourth consecutive game in which the 21-year-old’s playing time declined.
Head coach Brian Keefe insisted pregame that Whitmore was not being benched for performance reasons, saying, “Cam’s going to continue to play, he’s doing good.” After the defeat, however, Keefe explained he wanted to evaluate “other guys — especially Jamir Watkins” in regular rotation minutes. Watkins, Corey Kispert, Justin Champagnie and Will Riley all saw more action than Whitmore.
The Wizards sent two second-round picks to Houston over the summer to acquire Whitmore, who becomes eligible for a rookie-scale extension next offseason.
Bright spots for Washington
Rookie guard Tre Johnson, the No. 6 overall pick, made his first career start and finished with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Second-year center Alex Sarr is averaging 19.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.3 blocks while shooting 54.0% from the field, 45.5% from three and 80.0% at the line through eight games.
Players have also noticed improvements off the floor. The Oklahoman reported upgrades in travel arrangements, a traveling chef and other logistics under top executives Michael Winger and Will Dawkins. “Everything changed when they showed up,” Kispert said. “The little things make the player experience special.”
Lakers
Head coach JJ Redick told reporters LeBron James has been cleared for contact and is participating in one-on-one drills with assistant coaches, per the Orange County Register. Redick added that James could log practice time with the Lakers’ G League affiliate during his ramp-up, though no decision has been finalized.
76ers
Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse said Paul George will meet with doctors this weekend. If cleared, the veteran forward could make his first appearance since undergoing offseason knee surgery; he has been a full participant in practice for more than two weeks.
Forward Dominick Barlow, recovering from a right-elbow procedure, will miss the team’s weekend back-to-back and has a follow-up appointment Monday.
Source: Hoops Wire
