The dream starting 5 for the Trail Blazers 5 years from now
By Reese Kunz
The Portland Trail Blazers have endured many challenges and tough decisions over the past two years. It hasn't always been pretty, but they are quietly assembling one of the league's most promising up-and-coming rosters. After selecting in the top ten in the past three drafts, the Blazers are in the midst of an encouraging rebuild with young players filled with a ton of upside in Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, and Donovan Clingan.
The Blazers still need a superstar to lead their rebuild and are in an excellent position to find that missing piece in the upcoming drafts. As a result, they could have a roster ready to compete for a playoff run five years from now when their young core enters its prime.
PG: Scoot Henderson
Last summer, No. 3 overall pick Scoot Henderson would have firmly been in the Blazers' ideal future starting lineup. But an underwhelming rookie season highlighted by the fact that Henderson missed out on NBA All-Rookie Team honors makes it a bit murkier.
Henderson averaged 14 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game, which are respectable averages on the surface for a rookie. But he was highly inefficient with 39/33/82 shooting splits and 3.4 turnovers per game; that is the last thing you want when constructing a dream lineup at the position that is supposed to be your floor general responsible for maximizing possessions.
There are concerns surrounding Henderson, and he has much to prove regarding his development this upcoming season. Young guards typically take longer to adjust to the pace, physicality, and competitiveness of the NBA, and Scoot was no exception. However, he also showed flashes of what made him the No. 3 overall pick and drastically improved as last season went on, particularly as a decision-maker.
Betting on the talent, athleticism, and potential, Henderson still is the Blazers' long-term point guard, even in an ideal scenario. But it's definitely not as clear-cut as many would have hoped and expected after selecting him so early in last year's draft.