Did Portland Make a Massive Mistake by Drafting Scoot Henderson?

Scoot Henderson might not be 7’4, but he always stood out. He’s never shied away from showing his different sides to the world. In fact, for him, staying in the safe lane is actually staying in the risky lane. As per him, when you do that, “You’re not following anybody’s footsteps. You’re being the leader of yourself”. Quite accurately, we have Henderson summed up here for you.

For someone who “gotta be great“, Scoot wasn’t the first draft pick earlier this year. He was third to Victor Wembanyama. Henderson had epic battles with Wemby leading up to the draft, where he went toe to toe with the French phenom. But despite the initial fanfare around the 6’3 guard, things seem to be quiet around Scoot. Meanwhile, at the end of the offseason, the Portland Trail Blazers saw their franchise star leave to join Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, leaving Henderson as the ‘future of the team‘.

So from playing on empty parking lots in Nevada to the hardwood floor, his journey has been crazy. And even though he can dribble insanely well, pump-fakes, and pull great jumpers, people still question his credibility. Can he really take Portland to where it deserves to go?

Scoot Henderson’s journey to the big league’s

Scoot’s journey to the NBA was different compared to his peers for many reasons. He played at Carlton J. Kelly High School, and while he came off the bench his junior year, by the time he was a sophomore, he was scoring 49-point game-winners. Although he didn’t finish his senior year, he was a legend around the high school circuit. He already had offers from Florida State and Georgia Tech, both of which he turned down and decided to go pro and play for the G-league Ignite.

In May 2021, Henderson inked a groundbreaking two-year, $1 million deal with the NBA G League Ignite, showcasing his prodigious talent. Despite an initial setback due to a rib injury, the 17-year-old made history as the youngest player in G League history on November 17, 2021. His sophomore game saw a stellar performance, recording 31 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Henderson’s prowess earned him a spot in the Rising Star Challenge at the NBA All-Star Weekend in February 2022.

The 2021–22 season featured notable contributions, averaging 14.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. In October 2022, Henderson impressed against top talent but faced a setback with a knee injury. Despite challenges, he showcased resilience, marked by a career-high 16 assists and stellar performances. The season concluded with Henderson’s absence in the final games, but his impact was undeniable, averaging 17.6 points, 6.4 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 25 appearances.

In the lead-up to the Draft, Henderson showcased his skills for the Ignite in two exhibition matches against Metropolitans 92, featuring Victor Wembanyama, the anticipated top draft pick. From their very first encounter, he contributed significantly with 28 points, nine assists, and five rebounds, leading his team to a 122–115 victory. However, in the subsequent game, he had to exit during the first quarter due to a bone bruise in his right knee. Despite that, he was the 3rd pick in the NBA Draft by Portland.

Is Scoot a bust?

It is honestly difficult to predict at this stage whether he will completely underwhelm in the future. Despite a promising showing in the Summer League, Henderson’s NBA debut has been rough. In his first regular season game, he scored 11 points and four assists, in a loss to the LA Clippers. Meanwhile, he was sidelined for a while due to an ankle sprain and returned to not give consistent performances. However, is it a concern?

Read More: Despite Competing on Opposite Sides, “Next Russell Westbrook” Scoot Henderson Cannot Help but Gaze at Ex-MVP’s Brilliance

Players like Zion Williamson were great from the get-go, however, in his rookie year despite expectations Ja Morant eclipsed him for Rookie of the Year honors. However, Williamson was an All-Star the very next year. Other than injury concerns, Williamson has been consistent for the Pelicans when healthy and remains a beam of hope for the franchise. Other than them, in the recent past of the NBA, many players have improved greatly from their sophomore years in the league.

In the conversation surrounding Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembenyama, Henderson is getting lost in the mix. Despite that, there is still hope for the young talent in the 5 games that he has played in the regular season the TrailBlazers have won three. And in the most recent loss against the Utah Jazz, he scored 17 points. But even if he scored in single digits in two of those games, it is still early to rule him out as a bust.

In the NBA, it sometimes takes a lot of trust and nurturing to develop a franchise star, that and when they bloom they pay off in a big way. What are your thoughts on Henderson? Do you think he is a bust?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.

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