3 Overpaid, 3 underpaid Trail Blazers for 2023-24 season
By Tyler Watts
![Portland Trail Blazers, Jerami Grant, Damian Lillard. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports Portland Trail Blazers, Jerami Grant, Damian Lillard. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/656edf5418b2109ea302641933c61ac5d5798c25fd5b14844b9a5fa6c67ea00e.jpg)
Underpaid: Scoot Henderson
The number three overall pick in this summer’s draft is set to make $9.7 million as a rookie. It is a hefty price for an unproven talent, but Henderson is ready to confirm his star status. The 19-year-old will get off to a slow start adjusting to the NBA game, but his quickness and burst are unique. Scoot will get past even the best defenders early on, and fans will quickly fall in love.
Henderson was viewed as the number two player in his draft class for most of the season, and he would have been the top pick in other years. Victor Wembanyama was the most-hyped prospect since LeBron James, and it stole some of the excitement about Scoot.
Every team in the league would sign up to have four years of Henderson on a rookie deal. His ceiling is a perennial All-NBA candidate, and he is ready to contribute immediately. The Blazers were wise to hold onto the pick and to take Scoot. The 6’4 guard is a special talent that is only going to improve.
The Portland Trail Blazers hope to keep Damian Lillard, so he can mentor their young talent. It appears Dame is ready to move on, but his current franchise is still in a position to build something special, so stay tuned for all the latest.