Jan 21, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00) drives to the basket past Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson (55) and center Kel’el Ware (7) during the second quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

'Not Threatened at All' – Portland Trail Blazers’ Rising Star is Excited With Damian Lillard’s Return, Per Insider

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Jul 22, 2025 9:12 AM ET

Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson is reportedly excited to team up with Damian Lillard, who recently announced his return after he was waived and stretched by the Milwaukee Bucks two weeks ago.

According to NBA analyst Zach Lowe, Henderson is “not threatened” to lose his playing time next season, even with the Portland Trail Blazers’ additions of Lillard and Jrue Holiday this offseason.

“Now, it’s a whole different team in Portland than it was when Dame left on not great terms,” Lowe said on his podcast. “Fences were mended to the degree they needed to be mended. I think time had eased some of the wounds already. Scoot Henderson was clued-in to what was going on to make sure he was cool with it.”

Mar 9, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00) dribbles the ball past Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson (9) in the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images

“From what I’ve been told, he was super enthusiastic about it, not threatened at all. There was this undercurrent of “if I’m Scoot, I’m going to be angry,” like I’m gonna be back on the bench. The dude’s going to be out for a year. Scoot’s gonna have all the runway in the world,” he concluded.

Portland Trail Blazers News: Chauncey Billups reveals his vision after signing Damian Lillard

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups is happy to have Damian Lillard back on the team because he believes the nine-time NBA All-Star can help in the development of Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.

Mar 20, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) defends Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00) in the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

“I want to see Scoot and Shaedon take a step this year. I coach these guys very hard, but it’s always different when you’re getting that mentorship from a guy who’s wearing that jersey,” Billups said via Sean Highkin on the Rose Garden Report.

Lillard will have the opportunity to mentor Henderson and Sharpe while he is rehabbing his torn Achilles for the 2025-26 season. Billups even joked that Lillard will be the “highest-paid assistant” on the Portland Trail Blazers’ coaching staff.