As the Portland Trail Blazers confront the possibility of turning the page on the Damian Lillard era, this year’s NBA Summer League provided fans with a glimpse into the future.
Despite an injury that took out Scoot Henderson, the Blazers’ main attraction in summer league, the team’s week in Las Vegas provided plenty of entertaining moments (hello, Shaedon Sharpe dunks) and chances to evaluate where Portland’s rostered players stand developmentally.
Overall, the team impressed in Las Vegas, posting a 3-2 record and falling just short of making the four-team playoff tournament. After Henderson’s injury in the team’s first game, summer league signees Michael Devoe and Duop Reath bolstered the rostered players’ production, propelling the team to three straight wins before Portland emptied its bench in a loss against the Miami Heat.
It’s always dangerous to draw conclusions from summer league, but it can be useful to observe how young players perform in larger roles and respond to the pace and strength of professional basketball. Here are three takeaways fans can draw from the Blazers’ five games in Las Vegas.
1. Scoot Henderson’s the real deal
Henderson’s time on the floor in Las Vegas may have been short, but it was still electric.
Before getting pulled in the third quarter against the Houston Rockets with a shoulder injury, Henderson’s athleticism, pull-up ability and playmaking shined.
He wasted no time displaying his pick-and-roll chops, using ball screens to sink three pull-up jumpers in the first quarter.
When Rockets’ forward Tari Eason went under a screen, Henderson comfortably stepped into a top-of-the-arc three, countering the pick-and-roll coverage he’ll likely face until he proves himself as a jump shooter.
As advertised, Henderson looked most comfortable getting downhill. In transition, Henderson used his combination of strength and speed to create advantages and finish at the rim. In one instance, his rim pressure drew four Rockets defenders, allowing him to toss a left-handed dart into Kris Murray’s shooting pocket, one of several plays that captured Henderson’s polish as a passer.
In half-court sets, Henderson looked under control, yet explosive. He methodically maneuvered ball screens to gain a step on his defender and used his explosiveness to blow through gaps in the defense.
Henderson’s weaknesses were also evident. After a hot shooting start, a handful of missed pull-up twos and threes left Henderson with a modest 5-for-13 from the field finish. The scouting report will tell defenders to go under his ball screens, so the development of Henderson’s outside shot will dictate how much of his potential he can unlock.
Although he’s not a complete player yet, Henderson showed off his unique combination of athleticism and feel that vaulted him to the top of draft boards while playing for G League Ignite. Even if Henderson’s jump shot never surpasses league-average, it’s easy to imagine him developing into a high-level primary creator.
2. The Trail Blazers do not have a win-now roster
Outside of Henderson, the Blazers’ other rostered players showed some flashes of potential, but none exhibited the level of polish one would hope to see from players ready to contribute to winning immediately.
Sharpe, the Blazers’ other prized prospect on display at Summer League, took on the role of primary creator in which he shined during Portland’s tank last season. At times, Sharpe’s improved pace, court awareness and on–ball creativity from the end of last season carried over to summer league play.
Sharpe displayed his versatility as a 3-point shooter, one avenue that would allow him to separate himself from other uber-athletic guards. As the games progressed, Sharpe attacked the rim more aggressively, using his vertical to finish above and around bigs. In transition, Sharpe produced his usual share of jaw-dropping highlights, including this dunk over Jay Huff.
However, Sharpe’s overall play did not indicate his readiness to take the reins of a playoff-hopeful team. His loose handle still hindered his ability to create, forcing him into contested jumpers and turnovers.
If Lillard’s trade request stemmed from a belief that the current roster is too reliant on players who still need time to develop, then Sharpe’s summer league performance confirmed that assessment.
The performances of Portland’s other rostered players further affirmed that banking on surprise contributions from a stable of youngsters is not a realistic path to keeping Lillard.
Kris Murray, the Blazers’ other first-round pick in the 2023 draft, showed some promise with his quick-trigger release and slashing ability, but his mediocre 3-point percentage from college carried over to summer league—a sign that he’s a ways off from becoming a threat from the perimeter.
Rayan Rupert, Portland’s lone second-round pick who was advertised as a defensive disruptor with some untapped offensive potential, struggled on both ends against strength. He’ll need time to fill out his frame before becoming a regular contributor.
John Butler Jr.’s shooting remains an intriguing skill, but his underdeveloped strength is still an obstacle to him finding a consistent role. Ibou Badji, the Blazers’ other young big with a tantalizing physical profile, needs time to develop his mobility and feel for the game.
Jabari Walker looked the most mature of the group, demonstrating a capable 3-point stroke with some credible playmaking and rebounding skill. Considering how thin Portland is at the forward spots, it’s likely Walker has a decent shot to make the rotation his sophomore year, but a surprising jump from Walker won’t be enough to turn around the Blazers’ fortunes next season.
3. Winning may take time, but the Trail Blazers’ future looks bright
Although Portland’s roster will require time before contention is viable, 2023 NBA Summer League should have provided Blazer fans with hope that a promising future awaits after an inevitable Lillard trade.
The team’s post-Lillard future revolves around Henderson and Sharpe. One half of basketball from Henderson was enough to show that the two players could make for one of the most dynamic backcourts in basketball. Henderson and Sharpe already possess elite-level athleticism, which, paired with intriguing skill sets, equips the duo with star-level potential.
Unlike the Lillard-CJ McCollum pairing, length and athleticism are strengths of a Scoot-Shaedon backcourt, which might afford the latter a bit more two-way upside. Growing pains are inevitable, but watching Henderson and Sharpe develop some synergy will be exciting.
As for the rest of Portland’s roster, the Blazers’ young players may face current limitations, but they fit into archetypes that are necessary for winning in the modern NBA.
Walker profiles as a stretch four with some potential as a secondary creator. Murray and Rupert fit the three-and-D mold that all contenders need. Badji’s physical profile gives him intriguing upside as a rim protector. Butler Jr.’s skill set as a stretch big has the potential to mesh nicely with Henderson, a guard who lives more in the paint.
A Lillard trade would likely bolster the Blazers’ young talent base with more prospects. The Miami Heat, Lillard’s preferred team, have a trio of prospects—Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, and Orlando Robinson—who performed well in summer league and would add to the versatility of the Blazers’ youth movement.
If Lillard making the calculus that Portland’s young roster getting even younger would prolong the team’s path to winning is what led to his trade request, he was likely right; but that doesn’t mean it won’t be fun to watch a young core develop as a new era commences for the Blazers.