The Portland Trail Blazers entered Media Day on Monday with a huge Scoot Henderson extension question looming.
Blazers insider Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report asked general manager Joe Cronin the latest surrounding Henderson's role, potential extension, and even overall future in Portland.
Blazers still must decide on a Scoot Henderson extension
Henderson quietly broke out towards the end of the season, particularly during his first-ever playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs. Well, at least the first half of that series against the Spurs.
Here were his scoring totals throughout that quick five-game series: 18, 31, 21, 0, 5.
That high volatility from Henderson adds another layer of complexity to the potential extension for Cronin and the Blazers' front office.
“Scoot’s still really important to what we’re doing, what we’re building," Cronin said. "I agree, Sean, that, you know, when he came back from the hamstring injury, by the time the playoffs hit, he had shown that he had taken another step and is obviously worthy of a very big role, and I don’t have any concerns about our ability to give him that role and his ability to earn that role. Expecting a big training camp and start to the season from him.”
Scoot Henderson's two-way growth makes him a key contributor
Last offseason, the Blazers reached four-year extensions with Shaedon Sharpe and Toumani Camara. It remains to be seen whether that's the case with Henderson, who has now seen several of his 2023 classmates reach extensions with their respective teams.
Whether the Blazers ultimately reach an extension with Henderson before the season or not, Cronin expressed confidence that he'll remain part of this backcourt going forward.
There's a slight contradiction between the confidence Cronin expresses in Henderson and the added competition he brings to the backcourt with the unnecessary trade for Morant. Is Henderson the future point guard for this team or not?
Fortunately, Scoot's underrated development as a 3-and-D two-way guard means the answer isn't necessarily black and white. Two things can be true at once: Henderson didn't meet lofty draft expectations as a former No. 3 overall pick, failing to earn the keys to this backcourt and emerging as the point guard of the future. But that doesn't mean Portland has to move on from him entirely or even cut his minutes.
Shaedon Sharpe is out for roughly six months with a torn meniscus, and the Blazers have already expressed plans to use Jrue Holiday's versatility to play more at forward next season. That should clear minutes for Henderson in more of an off-ball role this coming season.
With his improved shooting, defense, and strong work ethic, Henderson will be a difficult player for the Blazers to let go. Whether it's this offseason or next, they must lock down a key two-way piece who has suddenly become an underrated part of this roster.
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