Whitmore was previously ridiculed because he was underrated in the draft, thinking he would be a top-5 pick, but was drafted by the Rockets with the 20th pick.
He was very disappointed with this, but he maintained his self-confidence and worked hard to prove what he was capable of. In the Summer League, Whitmore performed well and was selected as the MVP of the Summer League.
However, after the start of the preseason and regular season, his performance was lost. He was sent to the Development League, and the taunts continued to be heard.
However, starting in January, Whitmore got more opportunities to get into the Rockets' rotation. His performance gradually improved, and he also averaged 11 points per game8 points.
On the latest rookie list, he has risen to No. 7. Meanwhile, the real No. 4 pick, Amen Thompson, is plagued by injuries and is out for an extended period of time.
He's been good since his comeback, but both Whitmore and he have been instrumental in the Rockets' rotation, helping the team speed up the fight back.
Therefore, it can be said that Whitmore's rise was unexpected, and his progress proved his ability and made people reacquainted with him. The Rockets' decision to send Jalen Green away was reasonable.
Despite Green being a quality player, the Rockets need to make room for young players Whitmore and Thompson.
And the Rockets have also made it clear that they can't re-sign all of their young players, which means they need to make some adjustments.
Whitmore and Thompson have shown potential and ability this season, and the chemistry between them has been good. They are versatile players who are able to contribute on both the offensive and defensive ends.
Sending Green away would give them more playing time and speed up their growth and development. Of course, sending Green away doesn't mean the Rockets don't value his abilities and contributions.
He is still a valuable player who can help other teams. The Rockets can trade to acquire some useful assets to further strengthen the team.
Overall, sending off Jalen Green was a wise decision for the Rockets. They can provide more opportunities for young players, while also acquiring some useful assets through trading.
This will help the rocket achieve better results in future construction and competition.