Blazers have put Scoot Henderson in an impossible position to succeed

The Portland Trail Blazers are in the middle of a total rebuild. It started with drafting Scoot Henderson and trading franchise icon Damian Lillard in the 2023 offseason. They would love to get another top selection, but taking Henderson third overall may be their best.

The 6’3 guard is a building block, despite his rookie struggles. He averaged 14.0 points, 5.4 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 28.5 minutes per game last season. Henderson shot just 38.5 percent from the field and committed 3.4 turnovers each night, but first-year point guards are known to struggle.

The Blazers are partially to blame for his issues. They have struggled to put the right pieces around him and all three of their building blocks fit a similar mold. Portland cannot expect an immensely talented teenager to blossom without giving him the pieces to maximize his skill set.

Blazers needs more shooting and defense around Scoot Henderson

The Blazers have three returning players who shot over 35 percent from 3-point range last season. Jerami Grant was over 40 percent, but the 30-year-old is in trade rumors. Anfernee Simons is also being discussed in trade talks, despite having the highest volume and making 38.5 percent from three. Doup Reath is the only other option that made north of 35. The Blazers do not have enough space, especially when forced to go to their bench.

Adding Deni Avdija will help, but he will look to drive and keep the ball moving. To expect him to become a high-volume lights-out shooter is just unrealistic.

Portland has a misshapen roster too. Reath may not even be in the rotation after drafting Donovan Clingan. The Blazers still have Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III eager to get minutes and the floor spacing is a massive problem if Portland plays two of their bigs together. Behind Grant and Avdija, there is a lack of wings too.

The Blazers' biggest roster issue may be their guard situation, which is preventing Scoot from playing more.

The Blazers need to figure out guard situation

Portland’s three building blocks were Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Anfernee Simmons before drafting Donovan Clingan seventh overall this summer. There are significant questions about the fit of their three guards. All three have struggled on defense, and two are undersized. Portland cannot play all three together and needs a long-term plan.

The most likely option is moving Simmons. Sharpe has more size and versatility to pair with Scoot, but he must improve his outside shooting. This opens up massive minutes for the two remaining players and gives the franchise some needed clarity in the backcourt.

The Portland Trail Blazers should be building a roster that fits around Scoot Henderson if they believe he is their future star. Drafting Donovan Clingan as a rim-protector and screen setter was a strong start, but Portland desperately needs shooting and wing help to maximize their 20-year-old top-three draft pick. Until they add it, Scoot is in an impossible spot to fully blossom and reach his ceiling.