The Houston Rockets came up short against the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs and are now reflecting on the season.
2024-25 was a season of progress for the Houston Rockets, with the team finishing 11th in 23-24 and ascending to place as the two-seed in the West.
The Rockets fell in Game 7 to the Golden State Warriors after fighting back from 3-1 down in the series to force a decider.
Many are tipping the Rockets to use their assets to try to land a superstar, with Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo touted as high profile targets.
This means the Rockets need to make careful decisions over who they keep, and who they trade away.
Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty ImagesIme Udoka on Cam Whitmore
One of the players who there are questions over is the Houston Rockets’ first round draft pick in 2023.
Taken with the 20th overall selection, Whitmore has had an up and down stint with the Rockets and spent part of this season with their developmental team, with Kendrick Perkins describing him as ‘too good for the G League’.
Whitmore played a total of six minutes in the playoff series with Golden State, playing for two minutes in each of their three wins. When it mattered in Game 7, he was a DNP.
Questioned over Whitmore and 2024 pick Reed Sheppard in the team’s postseason wrap-up, head coach Ime Udoka commented: “We have full belief in our young guys. We saw the growth behind the scenes and we have plans to use them much more next year.”
Earlier this year Whitmore expressed he was unclear of his role on the team, and Udoka was questioned about this. He made clear what he wants from his players is ‘consistency’.
He responded: “I was a little caught off guard by that as well because we have had in depth conversations with Cam probably more than anybody.
“I’m pretty clear with what’s going to get you on the court, and what’s going to sustain a role, so I’ll leave it at that as far as that, but I’ve been very clear with what’s needed.
“Opportunities are there and not always taken advantage of, or other guys step up and play a little better, and we look for that consistency there.”
He added: “There’s a ton of potential there but consistency is the main thing, and he knows that.”
Cam Whitmore’s 2024-25 season
Cam Whitmore put in a standout performance on the penultimate game of the regular season when a weakened Rockets took on the LA Lakers.
Whitmore scored a career high 34 points with a 68.1 field goal percentage and shooting 7-12 from three, a standout performance in a loss.
This was not enough to change the trajectory on his season, which as the numbers demonstrate, has been a largely frustrating one.
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Cam Whitmore averaged only 16 minutes per game, playing 51 times, although only three times as a starter for the Rockets.
Whitmore was a credible 44 per cent shooting on the season and averaged 9.4 points per game in his limited playing time.
It is understandable if he is frustrated with a lack of opportunities, but now if the moment to stay focused and come back stronger next year, assuming he is not traded away.
The Rockets could trade away some depth, and this may create room for the 20-year-old to step up if he can win Udoka over.