The Washington Wizards have raised internal concerns about Cam Whitmore’s day-to-day approach, centering on practice habits and consistency, according to a GR report by Grant Afseth. As the team navigates a 3–19 start, establishing firm practice standards has been a point of emphasis, and Whitmore has not consistently met those expectations, influencing his role and minutes in recent games.
Head coach Brian Keefe has publicly referenced “certain standards” the team expects players to meet, keeping specifics internal while reinforcing accountability and strong daily habits as nonnegotiables. Afseth’s reporting indicates Whitmore’s benching is directly tied to those practice-related benchmarks rather than isolated in-game moments, aligning with the organization’s broader development philosophy this season.
Whitmore’s role has diminished as the team prioritizes players who consistently adhere to practice expectations, with rookie Will Riley cited as a beneficiary of increased minutes due to steadier daily habits and energy that fit Keefe’s demands. Whitmore’s production to date has remained modest, and the coaching staff’s message has focused on building sustainable habits before expanding his responsibilities.
The situation underscores the Wizards’ commitment to codifying habits and accountability across a young roster, even when short-term results are painful. By tying playing time to day-to-day work, Washington is signaling that development will be driven by process as much as performance, with Whitmore’s path back to a stable role likely dependent on meeting the practice thresholds the team has laid out.
