The Portland Trail Blazers haven't really had a consistent backcourt picture ever since Damian Lillard was traded in 2023. They've invested top draft picks into the position in hopes that they could pass on the keys to the backcourt, though that has yet to be the case.
Scoot Henderson had an excellent opportunity to earn it last season, but unfortunately that momentum was derailed by an offseason hamstring injury. Now, he's like the team's fourth-best point guard?
The Blazers may have viewed Ja Morant's upside as good value to take a flyer on, but it also signaled a lack of confidence in them already having that long-term point guard solution already on the roster. At the very least, they don't mind Morant's arrival hindering Henderson's development as he starts to become nothing more than a rotational piece lacking a clear-cut role heading into the season.
Scoot Henderson becomes an afterthought in Portland's Ja Morant experiment
Micah Nori still has a difficult decision of who to start in the backcourt between Morant, Lillard, and Jrue Holiday. Henderson is nowhere to be found in the conversation.Â
On one hand, Lillard and Holiday could be the best fit, specifically around Deni Avdija, as it gives them more defense and floor spacing.
On the other, Portland continues to prioritize the future, judging by its conservative moves this offseason and the fact that they held onto that valuable future Milwaukee Bucks draft capital. An aging backcourt defeats the purpose of that, especially since they should be eager to find out if the 26-year-old Morant is the long-term answer at the position.
At least Henderson has improved his defense and three-point shooting to play more off-ball, allowing him to carve out minutes in this logjam. Still, it's going to be Morant that has the chance of claiming the keys to the backcourt this season.
Hopefully he's able to return close to the two-time All-Star he previously was in Memphis. The alternative would be a far murkier fit, as Morant's impact lies more in being a primary offensive initiator.
We don't mind the gamble for Portland, but there was more risk involved in this trade than some may think. The Morant experiment essentially means they are moving on from Henderson's audition as the team's starting point guard. It even clouds his entire future in Portland at an interesting time for someone who is currently extension eligible.
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