4 Trail Blazers who must step up in Shaedon Sharpe's absence

The Portland Trail Blazers starting lineup entering the 2024-25 season has much more clarity after the unfortunate Shaedon Sharpe injury. Established players including Jerami Grant, Anfernee Simons, Deandre Ayton, and newly acquired Deni Avdija were seemingly the "locks," with the final spot coming down to either of the Blazers' rising backcourt stars -- Sharpe or Scoot Henderson.

Sharpe had a solid case to make for being Portland's final starter. Many anticipated a third-year breakout from the guard, who oozes athleticism and potential. That will have to wait, as Sharpe is expected to be out for 4-6 weeks with a labral tear in his left shoulder, the same injury he had in the 2022 Summer League. Now, it appears that Henderson will get the last starting spot.

1. Scoot Henderson

Even if he was going to come off the bench with a healthy Sharpe to start the season, Scoot was going to see significant minutes regardless. However, now Henderson will take on an increased role in the Blazers' offense. Portland went from having an excess amount of guards to start the offseason to now having a shortage after Sharpe's injury, as well as the Deni Avdija deal in which they offloaded Malcolm Brogdon.

The Blazers had a two-headed monster of young, athletic guards between Sharpe and Henderson. And now, with Sharpe out to start the season, Henderson will have to pick up the slack in key areas. If he wants to remain in the starting lineup when Sharpe returns from injury, Scoot must improve his finishing ability, decision-making, and three-point shooting.

But because Sharpe is one of the most talented players on the Blazers' roster, it won't just be one person to fill the void. Portland must compensate for his loss through the contribution of multiple players.