After acquiring Peyton Watson in a sign-and-trade blockbuster deal with the Denver Nuggets, the Cleveland Cavs waived Cam Whitmore. The Cavs were reportedly expected to waive Whitmore to avoid tax penalties as Cleveland was in the first apron due to Watson’s four-year, $88 million extension.
Whitmore was waived by the Cavs on Friday, per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
“The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived Cam Whitmore,” Scotto reported.
Cam Whitmore averaged 10.5 points on 45% from the field and 35% from 3-point range in 17.3 minutes per game during three NBA seasons with the Rockets and Wizards. However, the Cavs, in an attempt to get below from the first apron, he’s expected to re-sign while saving the team from tax penatlies, according to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.
“Assuming this is a waive-and-stretch, he will be on the books for $1.8M over the next three years. This takes the Cavs about $1.4M below their first apron hard cap, allowing Harden’s new contract.
The Cavs are no longer hard-capped as they’re now below the first apron.
Cavs’ reported interest in bringing back Cam Whitmore
Veteran guard James Harden reportedly had the Cavs’ best interest in mind ahead of their sign-and-trade blockbuster multi-team move for Peyton Watson. The Cavs also added Cam Whitmore, who they’ll love to keep as a depth piece on a team-friendly deal ahead of the 2026-27 season, according to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor.
“Whitmore being somebody that they acquired in that mega five-team deal that also included Trey Mann going to the Washington Wizards, Dennis Schroeder going to the Charlotte Hornets, and Cam Whitmore and his salary savings coming to the Cavs,” Fedor said. They have had conversations internally about the possibility of waving and stretching Whitmore and not having him on this roster.”
The Cavs will look to build off their 4-0 sweep by the hands of the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.