Scoot Henderson’s Leap Makes the Blazers Rebuild Easier

The Blazers are Still Facing Some Issues with the Roster

Most people would think the Blazers future looks straightforward, involving building around the promising guards. Unfortunately, Portland still has a handful of veterans on big contracts. Simons, Jerami Grant, and Deandre Ayton are the three most prominent ones. They are seemingly blocking the young players’ development, as seen with Henderson ‘s limited opportunities as a starter. Sharpe experienced this against Chicago, starting the game on the bench, while Henderson was a starter.

Shaedon has started 31 of his 34 appearances, but head coach Chauncey Billups recently pulled him from the starting group. It was surprising, but his reasoning was Sharpe’s lax effort on defense. It has motivated him to become a better all-around player, especially since he is much better on offense than defense. Thankfully, the third-year guard has taken it in stride because he acknowledges he could still improve.

“It was a good convo. He basically told me what I needed to do, and today I think I took a big step in doing what he said. So I’ve just got to continue to do that,” Sharpe said to the Rose Garden Report’s Sean Highkin.

If he can respond well, he will regain his spot in the starting lineup. This also opens the discourse surrounding the team’s veterans, because they limit the Blazers’ rebuild. Grant is blocking Sharpe from a starting role because he needs to play heavy minutes. Not only does he have seniority, but the Blazers are shopping him for trades. If he does not play enough, he might become a cheaper player to trade for. Portland wants maximum value for their players, which has led to a double-edged sword in the trade market and player development.

Scoot’s Rise has Impressed the Blazers Organization

At only 20, Henderson has been impressive. The pre-NBA Draft hype has done a bit of damage to Henderson’s reputation. But, this recent stretch has led to more people seeing him meeting that potential again. One of those people is his head coach, who is ecstatic for his young point guard. It has been a rocky two seasons, but the youngster is ready to prove himself.

“It’s starting to become so consistent with Scoot. I thought he did a good job of picking his spots but continuing to be on attack the whole game. Because we need it. He’s at his best that way. He’s playing really well. I’m proud of Scoot,” Billups said after the game.

If Henderson keeps playing like this, the Blazers can commit to him completely. He is firing on all cylinders as a score and playmaker. This will surely not last forever, but Blazers fans are excited to watch him realize his potential. The Portland front office has a fantastic group of players, which bodes well for their Western Conference goals.

Deni Avdija is Vital for the Blazers’ Rebuild Alongside the Backcourt

Henderson and Sharpe are the clear-cut building blocks for the team’s future. They are superb together, but they need a supporting cast that could help them succeed. Thankfully, Cronin has built a roster filled with complementary players. This includes Toumani Camara and Deni Avdija, the perfect wings for the long-term backcourt. Avdija has been superb because he helps with ball-handling, and his scoring threat is enough to attract the defense.

Henderson’s rise has been meteoric because he has thrived with or without the ball. Avdija has been instrumental to this because he has emerged as a reliable playmaker and ball-handler. The 6-foot-8 forward mostly focuses on scoring with his bursts of speed, but he has grown as a passer. He has even forged a solid pick-and-roll partnership with Ayton, which is immense for Avdija’s growth.

As long as Henderson and Sharpe have Avdija, they will have the perfect teammate alongside them. Combine that with Camara and Donovan Clingan, and the Blazers’ rebuild looks awesome. Portland still has a lot of work to do, but the future is bright if they keep doing this.