The Portland Trail Blazers' revamped backcourt has left Scoot Henderson in limbo. He could be the odd man out in the team's guard rotation, that is, unless he learns how to play like veteran teammate Jrue Holiday.
The Blazers now have a glut of guards, including Damian Lillard, Ja Morant, and Holiday, who will likely soak up the minutes at the one and two. That's not counting Shaedon Sharpe, whose offensive skill set makes him a better fit with the team's core led by Deni Avdija than Henderson is.
Should the Blazers just have their 2023 No. 3 pick ride the bench then? That would certainly be a waste of his talent and, for some people, probably a roster spot. They could also ship him and give him a fresh start elsewhere, but it's unclear what their options are in the trade market.
Reinventing his game
The former much-hyped prospect has been a bit of a disappointment for Rip City. What were supposed to be his strengths before entering the NBA haven't really been evident at this stage. And now, his on-ball-heavy game could make him an odd piece in the rotation headlined by Avdija, Lillard, and Morant.
If Scoot can develop into a legitimate off-ball threat, though, that could change his fate.
Of course, it would be easier said than done. He hasn't shot better than 35.4 percent from three in each of his three seasons in the league. On the other hand, he doesn't have to look that far to realize how beneficial it could be for him to work on becoming a multidimensional offensive player.
There was a time when Holiday thrived as a primary shot creator. But it was after he started operating mainly off the ball while still providing secondary shot-making that he became a much-coveted player and won an NBA championship.
And let's not forget, Holiday has proven to be one of the best perimeter defenders of his generation. That is where a ton of his value lies, and it is a key reason several teams have reportedly been interested in his availability despite turning 36 this summer.
Upon watching Scoot, we can definitely see his potential to become a stout defender at the point of attack or on the wing. The question is whether he can tap into his athleticism and show enough smarts to be comparable to his veteran teammate on that end of the court.
While we're at it, the real question is if Henderson can eventually become a player of Holiday's archetype? Probably not anytime soon. But if he takes at least a few steps in that direction, he would give the Blazers little reason not to put him on the floor. More importantly, they would have another weapon to slot alongside their three stars.
An interesting season ahead
For certain, a lot of eyes will be focused on the Blazers' Big 3 in the 2026-27 campaign. On paper, they are among the most talented trios in the league. And Avdija should benefit from sharing the floor with a couple of guards who only a few seasons ago held superstar status.
Naturally, though, the Blazers' success this season will hinge on how well the supporting cast performs. Holiday is expected to be an integral part of that group. It remains to be seen whether Henderson deserves consideration for a similar role.
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