Scoot Henderson is not only a fan of Damian Lillard. He’s additionally a possible teammate. The 19-year-old guard, projected to be a top-three decide within the 2023 NBA draft, mentioned he texted the Portland Trail Blazers star for recommendation when he was in high school.
“The craziest thing is I texted Dame like 2021 asking for advice… He texted back earlier this year or last year… I saw him when I came in, dapped him up, it’s cool. He’s a dog, too,” Henderson mentioned.
Henderson has enjoyed the G League Ignite staff, showcasing his explosive athleticism, scoring means, and playmaking abilities. He has also competed towards several of the greatest prospects on this planet, together with Victor Wembanyama, who’s broadly anticipated to be the No. 1 decide.
“The craziest factor is I texted Dame like 2021 asking for recommendation… He textual content again earlier this 12 months or final 12 months… After I arrived, I saw and dapped him up; it was cool. He’s a canine too.”Scoot Henderson on his relationship with Damian Lillardpic.twitter.com/qwr9ttBhWL— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 3, 2023
Henderson mentioned he admires Lillard’s recreation and mentality and hopes to emulate his success within the league. He also thinks he has what it takes to play with him if the Blazers resolve to draft him with the third decision.
Could Scoot Henderson be part of Damian Lillard in Portland?
Scoot Henderson of the G-League Ignite (Via NBA.com)
The Blazers are dealing with a crossroads. They have been unable to contend for a title or rebuild for the long run with Lillard as their franchise participant. Lillard is 33 years previous and coming into the ultimate 12 months of his contract. He has not publicly demanded commerce. However, he has expressed his frustration with the staff’s lack of progress.
The Blazers may attempt to appease Lillard by including extra expertise around him, or they might put together for all times after him by choosing Henderson as his inheritor. Henderson can potentially be a franchise participant with his mixture of measurement, energy, size, and talent. He can rate from any place in the courtroom, create for himself and others, and defend several positions.
The Trail Blazers are internet hosting Scoot Henderson, a 6-3 guard out of the G-League Ignite, for a predraft exercise at present at their follow facility in Tualatin— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) June 3, 2023
However, drafting Henderson may also create issues for the Blazers’ backcourt rotation. They already have Anfernee Simons, who has emerged as a dependable scorer and shooter in the taking pictures guard spot. If the Blazers draft Henderson, they must devise easy methods to stabilize his growth with Lillard’s prime.
Whatever occurs, Henderson is assured that he could make an influence within the NBA. He has confirmed himself towards a number of the greatest prospects on this planet, together with Wembanyama himself. “He’s a dog too,” Henderson mentioned of Lillard. And so is he.
