When the Portland Trail Blazers selected Scoot Henderson with the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, they weren’t just drafting a point guard - they were investing in a new era. The franchise made that loud and clear when they traded away Damian Lillard, handing the keys to the backcourt over to the 19-year-old phenom with elite athleticism and a fearless mentality.
Year one was a rollercoaster. Henderson showed flashes of brilliance - the kind of first step that leaves defenders flat-footed and the kind of burst that turns a simple pick-and-roll into a highlight reel.
But with the highs came growing pains: inconsistent decision-making, turnovers, and the expected adjustment to the NBA pace and physicality. Still, the talent was obvious.
In his second season, Henderson looked like he was starting to put it all together. His efficiency improved, the turnovers came down, and the game seemed to slow down for him.
Unfortunately, just as he was gaining momentum, injury struck. A season-ending setback halted his progress, leaving both Henderson and the Blazers wondering what could’ve been.
Now, in what was supposed to be a pivotal third season, Henderson’s trajectory has hit another snag. A torn hamstring suffered during offseason workouts has kept him sidelined indefinitely.
The most recent update, per league sources, indicated that he had begun non-contact on-court work and was set to be re-evaluated after two weeks. That was two weeks ago - and so far, no green light has been given for a full return.
The nature of hamstring injuries - especially for explosive guards who rely heavily on quick-twitch movements - means there's no rushing the process. Before Henderson can even think about suiting up, he’ll need to progress through contact drills, then full-speed five-on-five. Even in the best-case scenario, it’s looking like a post-All-Star break return is the most realistic timeline.
But even once he’s back, the situation in Portland has changed - and it’s complicated.
Deni Avdija has emerged as a legitimate leader for this team, playing the best basketball of his career and making a strong All-Star push. The Blazers have gone 7-3 over their last ten games, finding a rhythm with a new-look rotation that doesn’t include Henderson. That’s not to say they’re better off without him long term, but it does raise questions about how he fits into the current mix.
Last season, the pairing of Henderson and Avdija had its moments, but the fit wasn’t seamless. The team posted a -3.7 net rating when they shared the floor, though the offense clicked with a 118.0 offensive rating in those minutes. It was a classic case of promising individual talent trying to find collective chemistry - something that often takes time but isn’t guaranteed to work.
Now, with Shaedon Sharpe continuing to develop, Jrue Holiday bringing veteran stability, and Caleb Love carving out a role, the Blazers’ backcourt is as crowded as it’s been in years. Henderson will have to earn his minutes - and more importantly, prove that he can elevate this group rather than disrupt the flow.
Make no mistake: the Blazers still believe in Scoot Henderson’s upside. You don’t move on from a franchise icon like Lillard without being all-in on the next guy. But as Portland enters the next phase of its rebuild - one that’s starting to show real signs of progress - Henderson’s place in the long-term picture is no longer a given.
He’s still just 21. The tools are there.
The ceiling remains sky-high. But with another injury setback and a team evolving in his absence, the pressure is mounting.
The question now isn’t just when Scoot Henderson returns - it’s how he fits into a team that’s learning how to win without him.