As Scoot Henderson Sits, Anthony Black Surges - and the Blazers Can’t Ignore the Contrast
The Portland Trail Blazers are still waiting on Scoot Henderson - waiting for him to play, to develop, to become the franchise point guard they envisioned when they took him with the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. The potential was obvious. The path, less so.
Meanwhile, down in Orlando, Anthony Black - the guard Portland passed on - is turning promise into production. And as Black continues to rise, the Blazers are left wondering what might’ve been.
Scoot’s Stalled Start
When Portland selected Henderson out of the G League Ignite, it wasn’t a gamble. He was widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the class - a dynamic, explosive point guard with elite athleticism and the kind of court vision that draws comparisons to the greats. He looked like a future star, and in a post-Damian Lillard era, the Blazers needed one.
But Henderson’s rookie season was rough - historically so. He struggled mightily with efficiency, shooting just 41.6% from two-point range and 32.5% from deep.
His 3.4 turnovers per game were tied for fourth-most in the league, and the company he kept on that list? All recent All-Stars.
The problem? Those players had earned the right to make mistakes.
Henderson hadn’t yet.
Year two brought some improvement - fewer turnovers, a few more flashes - but the inconsistency remained. He showed glimpses of the player Portland hoped for, but not enough to earn a major role on a competitive team.
The tools are still there. The trust?
Not yet.
Now in his third season, Henderson hasn’t suited up due to a lingering hamstring injury. There’s no firm timeline for his return, and with the Blazers’ backcourt already thin - especially after the departure of Lillard - his absence is more glaring than ever.
Portland needs to know if Henderson can be the guy. But right now, they’re still waiting.
Meanwhile in Orlando…
While the Blazers wait, the Magic are watching their young guard take off.
Orlando held the sixth pick in that same 2023 draft and reportedly had interest in moving up to grab Henderson. Instead, they stayed put and selected Arkansas guard Anthony Black - a move that’s looking better by the day.
Black didn’t walk into a rebuild like Henderson did. He joined a team already featuring Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs.
He had to carve out a role - and early on, it was a small one. He averaged just 4.6 points as a rookie and 9.4 in his second season.
But he stayed steady, played his role, and developed on both ends.
This season, the breakout arrived.
Black is now averaging 15.9 points per game while shooting a strong 53.1% from inside the arc. Add in 4.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, and you’ve got a player impacting the game in multiple ways.
He’s not just filling in - he’s stepping up. Injuries to teammates have opened the door, and Black has walked through it like a player ready for more.
And while Henderson’s defense remains a work in progress, Black’s has been a calling card since day one. At 6'7", he brings the size and versatility that fit perfectly with Orlando’s identity - long, switchable, and disruptive. Now that his offense is catching up, he’s becoming the kind of two-way guard every team covets.
The What-If for Portland
It’s impossible not to wonder: what if the Blazers had gone with Black instead?
Imagine a lineup featuring Black alongside Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe - a balanced scoring trio with defensive bite. Add in Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan, and you’ve got the makings of a young, versatile defensive core. Sprinkle in veterans like Robert Williams, Jerami Grant, and Jrue Holiday, and suddenly Portland looks like a team with both promise and identity.
Black isn’t just playing well. He’s ascending.
He’s found more than a safe role - he’s found a lane to stardom. Just as the Blazers have uncovered a gem in Avdija, the Magic may have done the same with Black.
And Portland had the chance to make that pick.
This isn’t about second-guessing the scouting process. At the time, Henderson was the consensus pick.
Most front offices would’ve done the same. But that doesn’t soften the sting when another player at the same position is thriving - especially when your guy can’t get on the floor.
Time Is Ticking
The Blazers still believe in Henderson’s upside. But belief only goes so far.
Development requires time, reps, and the ability to stay on the court - three things Henderson hasn’t had enough of. And with each game he misses, the contrast between him and his draft peers grows sharper.
Anthony Black is showing what it looks like when talent meets opportunity and growth. For the Blazers, the hope is that Henderson’s time is still coming. But for now, they’re watching from the sidelines - and watching what could have been thrive in a different jersey.