Blazers News: Latest on Lillard trade, Scoot calls ROY, 2K rating revealed

We’re currently in the middle of a dead period on the NBA calendar, even when factoring in Damian Lillard, James Harden and now Pascal Siakam trade rumors. Still, the NBA has become a year-round league, so there’s always something to discuss. Here is the latest Portland Trail Blazers news.

Shams releases latest info on Damian Lillard trade

Shams Charania of The Athletic published a new piece (subscription required) that included the latest on trade talks between the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat surrounding star point guard Damian Lillard.

The biggest takeaway of the latest rumors? That absolutely nothing has changed.

Shams’ report included the following:

• Lillard is still dead set on going to the Heat.
• The Heat are willing to offer the Trail Blazers a package built around three to four first-round picks that would send Tyler Herro going to a third team for assets (likely first-round picks), expiring contracts, a young player such as Nikola Jović or Jaime Jaquez Jr. and potentially second-round picks and draft swaps. This was reported weeks ago.

Until another team throws its hat in the ring for Lillard, we’re likely stuck in this trade purgatory.

Scoot Henderson calls his shot on Rookie of the Year

Scoot Henderson is never one to lack for confidence. Even with the San Antonio Spurs’ much hyped rookie Victor Wembanyama the favorite, Scoot believes he’ll be named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2023-24.

In an interview on the Playmaker HQ YouTube channel, Henderson said the following:

“My goal, obviously, is to win Rookie of the Year.

“My goals for the season are to help win a lot of games, to embrace the position I’m in, to embrace my role on the team, to be a great listener, and watching film and applying it to the next game.”

Everyone is focused on Wembanyama and how incredible he’s going to be from day one of his NBA career (is he?), but Scoot definitely has a case to take home the award at the end of the season.

Scoot is actually OK with his initial NBA 2K24 rating

Henderson sat down with Ronnie 2K for his 2K24 rating reveal last week. The No. 3 overall pick said he was hoping for a 76 as his initial rating and was pleasantly surprised at what he pulled out in an envelope reveal for the next iteration of the most popular NBA game on the planet.

“To be real, hopefully at least a 76,” Scoot said he was hoping for.

Opening the envelope in the dramatic reveal – or as dramatic as a situation like this can be – Henderson’s immediate reaction was “Ooooo that ain’t bad, that ain’t bad! That’s pretty solid for a rookie,” as he showed a card that said 78.

When asked what his rating will be by the end of the season, Henderson said 80, maybe 81. Not an unrealistic expectation for the Blazers’ rookie.