The Phoenix Suns' return package in the Kevin Durant trade wasn't up to par with what they could've gotten, but they wanted a pick in the draft. Their wish was granted when they received the No. 10 pick, which turned out to be Duke center Khaman Maluach. He's the second of the two young players the Suns got (sorry, Dillon), but they could've had a third.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that Cam Whitmore was "nearly" traded to the Suns in the KD deal, but Phoenix preferred more second-round picks. The Suns received a total of five second-round picks.
Cam Whitmore was nearly traded to the Phoenix Suns in the Kevin Durant trade, league sources told @hoopshype. Instead, Phoenix opted for more future second-round draft pick compensation. He averaged 10.8 points in 17.4 minutes in two seasons for the Rockets and turns 21 on July 8 https://t.co/HSmbIZjP2P
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 6, 2025
The Rockets traded Whitmore to the Wizards for two second-round picks. It was a low-risk, high-reward move for Washington, a team that has nothing to lose by playing Whitmore. It's actually a good move for Whitmore, too. He'll get to prove himself on a rebuilding team, rather than fight for minutes on a contending team.
It doesn't make total sense why Phoenix didn't want Whitmore, though. He's 21 and spent two seasons in Houston after the organization drafted him with the No. 20 pick in the 2023 draft. He was projected to be a lottery pick, but slipped down the draft board due to injury concerns and his pre-draft interviews.
Whitmore averaged 10.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game in his two seasons with the Rockets, shooting 44.9% from the field and 35.5% from three. His playing time (he averaged 17.4 minutes per game in Houston) should rise in Washington, as should his production.
Suns could regret prioritizing second-round picks over Cam Whitmore
Whitmore could eventually turn into an All-Star kind of player, or at least a player who is mentioned in that conversation. Or he could turn into a flop. Phoenix didn't doom its future by not taking Whitmore, but for a team that doesn't have much of a future, it doesn't make sense why the Suns didn't take a swing on him.
They aren't loaded with future draft assets (shoutout Mat Ishbia), so taking a flier on a 21-year-old would make sense. The Suns want to try to win now with Devin Booker, but that isn't an outcome fans should expect. Maluach isn't NBA-ready, so adding a young scorer to the roster like Whitmore wouldn't hurt during Phoenix's attempt at a playoff push.
Phoenix and Washington are in two different situations, but if Whitmore thrives with the Wizards, it'll be a reminder for the Suns of what could've been. He could turn into a key piece of Washington's future, a future that looks better than Phoenix's, for what it's worth.
Not having Whitmore won't make or break the Suns' season, but the decision to prioritize second-round draft compensation could be one of the stains on Brian Gregory's GM resume.