By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
Notification Show More
Latest News
2025 College Basketball Bad Beats: WVU fails to cover after blowing late lead
2025 College Basketball Bad Beats: WVU fails to cover after blowing late lead
Game Analysis
Mizzou coach begs fans, 'Please, do not rush the court!' after win over No. 4 Alabama
Mizzou coach begs fans, ‘Please, do not rush the court!’ after win over No. 4 Alabama
Game Analysis
Lionel Messi picks up where he left off ahead of 2025 MLS season opener
Lionel Messi picks up where he left off ahead of 2025 MLS season opener
Game Analysis
Inter Miami vs. Sporting Kansas City Highlights | CONCACAF Champions Cup | FOX Soccer
Inter Miami vs. Sporting Kansas City Highlights | CONCACAF Champions Cup | FOX Soccer
Game Analysis
Denver Nuggets MVP Nikola Jokic turns 30; his elite NBA career by the numbers
Denver Nuggets MVP Nikola Jokic turns 30; his elite NBA career by the numbers
Game Analysis
Aa
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Reading: Should Trail Blazers trade Damian Lillard, build around Scoot Henderson?
Share
Aa
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Search
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
BigPaulSports > Blog > Game Analysis > Should Trail Blazers trade Damian Lillard, build around Scoot Henderson?
Game Analysis

Should Trail Blazers trade Damian Lillard, build around Scoot Henderson?

BigP
Last updated: 2023/06/23 at 11:31 PM
BigP Published June 23, 2023
Share
Should Trail Blazers trade Damian Lillard, build around Scoot Henderson?
SHARE

Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers are trying to reshape themselves into a contender, with the latter viewing the addition of Scoot Henderson, the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, as a substantial enhancement. But is the prudent direction for Portland to trade Lillard and rebuild with Henderson, instead of retooling around Lillard?

On Friday’s edition of the “The Herd,” host Colin Cowherd argued that Portland’s roster construction is too wing-heavy, and it’s time to move on from Lillard.

Damian Lillard won’t rush decision after Trail Blazers draft Scoot Henderson

Damian Lillard won't rush decision after Trail Blazers draft Scoot Henderson

“Four of the most talented Blazers are guards: Scoot Henderson, maybe the most talented, Dame, Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe, and they have one solid wing [if he’s re-signed], Jerami Grant. They’re essentially now becoming the Warriors without any of the trophies,” Cowherd said.

“Steph and Klay, I understand the loyalty to Klay. You got the bag four times; you got the rings. The Blazers had Dame and CJ McCollum, and they didn’t get you trophies. They got you admiration, people liked them … Eleven years, four series wins. Break ’em up. They never did … Too many guards, what are you gonna get for it? Break ’em up. Send one packing. Scoot Henderson is the future.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Lillard is coming off the most productive season of his NBA career. He averaged a career-high 32.2 points and 7.3 assists per game while shooting 46.3/37.1/91.4. Lillard had a 60-point game against the Utah Jazz and a 71-point game against the Houston Rockets. 

Across his 11-year NBA career, Lillard has racked up seven All-NBA honors and seven All-Star Game roster nods. He will be 33 by the 2023-24 NBA season and is under contract through the 2026-27 season.

The Trail Blazers went 33-49 last season, good for 13th in the Western Conference. They missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season and haven’t won a playoff series since 2019. Since Lillard’s rookie season (2012-13), Portland has won just four playoff series.

Henderson is coming off an impressive season with the NBA G League Ignite. The 6-foot-2 Henderson averaged 16.5 points, 6.8 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 42.9/27.5/76.4 across 19 games. He’s the highest draft selection made by the Trail Blazers since 2007, when they selected Ohio State big man Greg Oden with the No. 1 pick.

The Trail Blazers also selected Iowa forward Kris Murray — who earned All-Big Ten first team honors last season — at No. 23 and wing Rayan Rupert at No. 43 in the 2023 draft.

Concerning the rest of Portland’s roster, Simons averaged a career-high 21.1 points per game last season. Sharpe — a former five-star prospect who the Trail Blazers selected with the No. 7 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft — averaged 9.9 points per game and appeared in 80 contests (15 starts) in his rookie season.

Of all of Portland’s young talent, Cowherd sees Henderson as Portland’s future.

“Dame’s a great player, but after about four practices of Scoot, his youth, he’ll be able to play 75 games, he’ll be a willing defender, you’re gonna look around and go ‘we gotta get Scoot some players,’” Cowherd said. “And Scoot’s not gonna win a title next year, but at least it’s a solid direction and everybody gets it. Keeping these guys together, what are your paths? You got two paths. I don’t think either one of them gets you close to a title. I think both of them get you maybe at best into the bottom of the playoffs.

“All these guards in the bigger West, make a move. Your future is clearly Scoot Henderson. Nobody disputes that. Your near future could be Dame. How about just moving him [Lillard] and getting pieces around Scoot? 

“Rebooting, 11 years, four playoff wins. It’s not that emotionally hard. It would be different if you had rings and trophies. You never really got close.”

FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience

National Basketball Association

National Basketball Association

Portland Trail Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard

Damian Lillard


NBA trending


National Basketball Association

Get more from National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more


in this topic

Sponsored Content

You Might Also Like

2025 College Basketball Bad Beats: WVU fails to cover after blowing late lead

Mizzou coach begs fans, ‘Please, do not rush the court!’ after win over No. 4 Alabama

Lionel Messi picks up where he left off ahead of 2025 MLS season opener

Inter Miami vs. Sporting Kansas City Highlights | CONCACAF Champions Cup | FOX Soccer

TAGGED: nba
BigP June 23, 2023
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print

Follow US

Find US on Social Medias
Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Youtube Subscribe
Telegram Follow
newsletter featurednewsletter featured

Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

    Popular News
    Sources: Jets meeting with Rodgers in California
    NFLSports News

    Sources: Jets meeting with Rodgers in California

    BigP BigP March 7, 2023
    DeBoer showing why he was ‘the guy’ for Bama
    Panthers’ Tepper fined $300K for drink toss at fans
    Source: Vikes’ Hunter planning to skip minicamp
    Cardinals cut WR Anderson, save $12M on cap
    - Advertisement -
    Ad imageAd image

    Categories

    • Sports

    About US

    We offer information and tips on US Sports and evernts all over the world.
    Top Categories
    • Game Analysis
    • Free Picks
    • Services
    • Premium Content

    Subscribe US

    Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

      © Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.

      Removed from reading list

      Undo
      Welcome Back!

      Sign in to your account

      Lost your password?