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Gerald Henderson a Keeper?

By Steven Dewald

Jan 3, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kostas Papanikolaou (16) guards Portland Trail Blazers guard Gerald Henderson (9) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Trail Blazers defeated the Nuggets 112-106. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kostas Papanikolaou (16) guards Portland Trail Blazers guard Gerald Henderson (9) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Trail Blazers defeated the Nuggets 112-106. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Has Gerald Henderson’s play earned him a long term spot with the Trail Blazers?

The Trail Blazers will face a litany of questions this offseason. But the most pressing internal question might be focused on the current guard rotation. Allen Crabbe and Gerald Henderson have both proven themselves as solid contributors. The problems begin to arise when future salaries come into play.

Both Crabbe and Henderson are set to hit the market in one form or another this offseason (Crabbe as a restricted free agent, Henderson as an unrestricted free agent). Only one of the these players will likely return to Portland, so which player makes the most sense going forward?

Portland already has an abundance of riches in their wing rotation, which will require some careful spending moving forward. Damian Lillard is already in line for a massive pay increase and C.J. McCollum will soon follow him down that path. Crabbe has the age and right statistical numbers to garner an adequate amount of suitors. Henderson on the other hand, has all the makings of a free agent steal.

Mar 18, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Gerald Henderson (9) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans center Kendrick Perkins (5) during the second quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Gerald Henderson (9) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans center Kendrick Perkins (5) during the second quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Henderson is an established commodity by most league standards, which both works for and against him in the open market. That factor alone could rule him out of the free agent pool for several teams looking to impress their fans this summer. While this might chase off certain suitors, it shouldn’t discourage established contenders from seeking Henderson’s service. Contenders are often looking for minimal mystery in their signings and the former Duke product certainly fits that billing.

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Winning culture and timely offense are two things that have been integral to the Trail Blazers’ success. Both of these things are something that Henderson possesses in spades. Crabbe is the younger and “sexier” choice going forward, but Henderson is a proven commodity that will likely come at a discount. The real choice comes down to role, and it seems like Henderson is the smoother fit long term for the Trail Blazers. Crabbe will likely want to seek out a place in which he has a clear path to starting minutes, thus moving Portland down his list.

In a perfect world the Trail Blazers would be able to retain both of these players, but the NBA offseason is a fickle beast. Neil Olshey (Trail Blazers GM) has some serious choices to make once again this summer. Crabbe and Henderson could both fit under the salary cap, but it would leave little flexibility for an upgrade to the big man rotation.

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If you had to choose one who would it be? Do you take the future prospects of Crabbe, or the veteran option?