Blazers have a massive problem with a franchise-building block

The Portland Trail Blazers are in the early stages of a total rebuild and figuring out what their next contending roster looks like. The Damian Lillard era ran its course. The Blazers have not made the playoffs since 2021 and already have multiple potential building blocks. Portland needs a new star to emerge to lead their roster. Scoot Henderson was drafted to be that player but has not lived up to the hype so far.

The 6’3 guard shot under 40 percent from the field and produced a negative value over replacement player (VORP) as a rookie. Not exactly what the Trail Blazers wanted from the third overall pick, but it is not uncommon for first-year primary ball-handlers to struggle. The speed and physicality of the NBA are difficult to adjust to. Everyone hoped Henderson would take a massive leap in year two.

The 20-year-old is coming off the bench and has arguably taken a step back. It was not a positive sign to see him as a reserve with Shaedon Sharpe out to begin the year. Henderson’s production has been inconsistent and there are already bust questions from the player who began his lone college season rivaling Victor Wembanyama for the number one pick in the 2023 draft.

The Blazers have a massive Scoot Henderson problem

Through 11 games, Henderson averages 11.8 points, 4.8 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 25.8 minutes per game. He is shooting 40.2 percent from the field and just over 27 percent on his 3-point attempts. His 2.9 turnovers per game create another set of worries as the 20-year-old remains wildly inefficient.

His stats are down across the board, but it goes beyond the box score. In his first 284 minutes this season, Portland has been outscored by 95 points as Henderson produced a negative VORP. Scoot has one of the five-worst win shares per 48 minutes in the NBA and is struggling mightily.

The 6’3 guard is filled with potential, but it has been a forgettable start to his NBA career. After 73 games, it is fair to question if Henderson should remain a building block. He is nowhere near his peak, but Portland is not playing Anfernee Simons, Sharpe, and Henderson together. The Blazers have a tough call to make and parting with Scoot may be the correct answer.

Portland has a 119.8 defensive rating and a negative-16.2 net rating with the former top-three pick on the floor. If the Blazers produced those marks over the full season, they would be last in net rating and tied for the second-worst on defense.

Scoot Henderson has been a below-average player, and that is a massive problem for the Portland Trail Blazers rebuild. They hoped he would blossom into their next superstar, but he has been more Greg Oden than Damian Lillard so far.

The 20-year-old cannot be written off. It has been a rough start, but the Blazers must keep running him out there. Scoot has to improve his efficiency, jumper, playmaking, and defense to reach his ceiling. The gains have been slow, but growth is not linear. Henderson needs time, but it has been a problem. Will it continue to be? If so, the Blazers rebuild will take longer than anyone wants.