NBA Draft 2023: 5 way-too-early Rookie of the Year favorites
2023 NBA Draft: No. 2 Rookie of the Year candidate, Scoot Henderson
Scoot Henderson. 3. player. USA. 34. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. G
The Blazers were big winners with Scoot Henderson inexplicably falling into their lap. There has been debate all summer over the merits of Brandon Miller as a challenger to Henderson’s preordained status as the Wembanyama consolation prize, but that never held much weight here (even if it evidently did in Charlotte). Henderson has been No. 2 on the FanSided board all season, with Amen Thompson being the only prospect close to resembling a challenger to that status.
Henderson steps into murky waters with the Blazers’ franchise in particular. The Damain Lillard situation looms large. Does he stay? If he does say, what win-now pieces could get in Henderson’s way. How does his workload shake out if both Lillard and Anfernee Simons are still with the team next season?
Despite those questions, Henderson is the early No. 2 bet for Rookie of the Year. He will be ready to go day one with elite physical strength for his age and a mature, seek-and-destroy attitude. He doesn’t get rattled by the moment and he makes it his personal mission to make the opponent miserable. There is definite defensive potential tied to his bulky frame and 6-foot-8 wingspan. The offensive production will come naturally as long as he’s on the floor.
If the Blazers end up trading Lillard, then Henderson will be free to blossom as the full-stop leader of Portland’s offense. He’s explosive downhill with pull-up shooting range out to the 3-point line. The consistency of his jumper wavered at times last season, but Henderson has soft touch, clean footwork, and projectable mechanics. He will pressure the rim and frequently collapse the defense, a potent attribute when one considers Damian Lillard’s singular gravity behind the 3-point line.
With Lillard aging into the twilight of his stardom, perhaps taking on more off-ball duties while Henderson initiates the offense would be beneficial. Simons feels like the odd man out in that scenario, but he’s big enough to share the court in super small three-guard lineups and the Blazers will have no trouble scoring. Defense is the bigger concern, but when has that ever stopped someone from winning Rookie of the Year when the buckets are flowing?