NBA Draft Rumors: Marcus Smart trade grade, Tobias Harris rumblings, Scoot-Blazers

NBA Draft Rumors: Will the Blazers get lucky with Scoot Henderson?

Scoot Henderson, the rumored No. 2 selection in the NBA Draft, has been working out with Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard all offseason, per Marcus Spears. The duo would love to play together, though that’s not guarantee since the Charlotte Hornets pick second, and could take the G-League Ignite star off the board prior to the Blazers selection.

“Hearing Lillard and Scoot Henderson have been communicating regularly since the G League Ignite star’s workout in Portland, sources said. Dame attended draft workouts and has been working out regularly at the Blazers’ facility. Henderson is a candidate for the third pick,” Spears reported on Wednesday.

The Blazers only hope is that Charlotte prefers Brandon Miller out of Alabama to Henderson. There’s been a longstanding debate in NBA circles as to which is the better pro prospect.

"“These teams are building around these multiple, dynamic pick-and-roll players, and when you get deep in the playoffs, the ability to get to the basket and draw fouls [is significant],” one high-ranking Western Conference executive told CBS Sports. “Miller doesn’t have as much personal versatility, the combination of Scoot’s scoring and playmaking, that’s what teams are looking for. Brandon is exciting, don’t get me wrong, but this is more of an appreciation for Scoot.”"

If said executive is correct, then the Blazers only hope at acquiring Henderson is to trade up. The far more likely solution is for Portland to trade back and try and acquire another veteran scorer alongside Lillard in exchange for their top-3 pick.

"“Take Scoot,” another GM said, per CBS. “Makeup, competitiveness, I’m betting on the human being. He’s what an elite point guard looks like in our league. I just love him more. I think he’s going to be really good. … With Miller, off-the-court stuff aside, when you look at the back at some of the games he had, something’s missing. Not very vocal, missing something. I don’t think he’s an elite-elite athlete like some of these wings.”"

For the Blazers, taking Scoot is easier said than done given their draft position.