Nuggets reportedly interested in $15M gamble, recently released athletic former first-rounder

The Denver Nuggets are reportedly considering a $15 million gamble on Cam Whitmore, a recently released athletic former first-round draft pick. This comes as the team faces a difficult financial situation, having had to let go of one of their young stars, Peyton Watson. The Nuggets are currently in the process of re-signing Spencer Jones to a two-year, $12 million deal, which has put them in a precarious position with a projected luxury tax penalty of $68 million, the highest in their franchise history.

Despite this, the team still has two roster spots to fill before training camp. Cam Whitmore, who was waived by the Cleveland Cavaliers, is one of the top unrestricted free agents and a high-level scorer, with an average of 10.5 points per game over three NBA seasons. He has also shown proficiency from beyond the three-point line, shooting 35%.

However, the Nuggets note that Whitmore needs to improve his defensive skills, similar to DeMar DeRozan. The team has only one roster spot available, but there may be alternative options if they do not wish to commit to a standard contract. Regardless, Whitmore's athleticism and scoring ability are features that the Nuggets deem valuable.