Whitmore’s off-court antics raise eyebrows as his role with the Rockets continues to shrink.

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Cam Whitmore may not be lighting up the court lately, but he’s certainly lighting up social media. The Houston Rockets swingman went viral this weekend after posting an Instagram story that quickly sent NBA Twitter into a frenzy.

In the now-deleted post, Whitmore was seen inside an elevator with two women, both dressed to turn heads, alongside the caption:

“Don’t remember dis at all yams was great to me on to the next.”

The story was live for only a short time before being deleted, but not before screenshots were captured and shared across social media platforms. While the content itself was provocative enough to spark buzz, the timing of the post added further intrigue.

Whitmore has been absent from the Rockets’ rotation for four straight games, receiving the dreaded “DNP: Coach’s Decision” despite a strong performance earlier this month.

That includes a 27-point, 11-rebound outing against the Oklahoma City Thunder in which he looked every bit like a rising young talent. Yet since then, the sophomore forward has logged fewer than eight minutes in any single game since then and appears to have slipped out of head coach Ime Udoka’s favor.

Whitmore’s social media activity has only heightened the speculation about his future in Houston. Already, there have been whispers of potential off-court frustrations and trade rumors surrounding the 20-year-old.

Though he showed promise during his rookie campaign — averaging 12.3 points and 3.8 rebounds on 45.4% shooting in 18.7 minutes — his role has diminished significantly this season.

In just 44 appearances, he’s averaging 9.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game, shooting a modest 42.0% from the field.

The Rockets, currently holding the second seed in the Western Conference with a 46-25 record, have prioritized veteran contributions and team cohesion over individual development.

It’s a tight rotation, and players like Dillon Brooks, Jae’Sean Tate, and Jeff Green have all maintained roles that could otherwise belong to younger players like Whitmore.

But the lack of minutes is clearly wearing on him. A recent postgame interview further hinted at his frustration, where Whitmore said his strong showing “doesn’t mean anything” and questioned if he’s done enough to earn a more consistent role.

Head coach Ime Udoka has acknowledged Whitmore’s improvement, particularly on the defensive end, and noted that he’s taken strides in areas such as shot selection.

Yet, even with public praise, the minutes haven’t followed. Whitmore’s emotional responses, coupled with his recent viral moment, have left many wondering if he’s quietly angling for a fresh start elsewhere.

There’s growing belief that the Rockets may be forced to address the situation this summer. Whitmore’s situation will soon become a topic of interest, and if Houston doesn’t see him as part of their long-term future, it may make sense to explore his trade value now while there’s still upside to be sold.

For now, the Rockets remain focused on a playoff run. But with Whitmore off the court and on social media, the question remains: is Cam Whitmore’s future in Houston hanging in the balance — or already out the elevator door?