How Scoot Henderson Can Impact Winning for Portland Trail Blazers

“Pressure is the single mom trying to scrape together rent. We get paid a lot of money to play a game… to call it pressure is almost an insult to regular people.”

That was Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard back in 2017. And while his words ring true in many ways, pressure in the NBA is very real — it just looks different. No, it’s not life or death. But constant expectation, national scrutiny, and the weight of performance? That’s pressure too.

In today’s social media-fueled era, players are picked apart daily. Whenever someone defends them, the counter is always: “He makes millions — he can handle it.” But pressure isn’t measured in salary. It’s measured in spotlight.

Few young players have felt that more than Scoot Henderson. From the moment he was linked with Victor Wembanyama, the hype was real. Most scouts said he’d be a No. 1 pick in any other draft. But after Lillard’s trade before training camp, the weight of Portland’s rebuild landed on Scoot’s shoulders immediately. Every mistake stood out. And wearing #00 didn’t exactly lower expectations.

Now entering Year 3, we’ve seen flashes of what made Scoot so highly touted — but it hasn’t been easy. With veterans like Jrue Holiday and Dame back in the fold, plus the rise of Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara, Portland no longer has time to be overly patient.

So the question heading into 2025-26: How will Scoot Henderson prove he belongs in the Blazers’ long-term vision?

Scoot’s play relies heavily on having the ball in his hands. Whether it’s scoring, finding the open man, or running in transition — #00 needs the rock. Yet as we’ve seen on nights when his shot isn’t falling or the turnovers pile up, his impact can quickly shift from positive to harmful.

One thing that doesn’t disappear with a cold shooting night is defense — and Scoot has all the tools to thrive on that end. Built like an NFL running back with elite speed and agility, he has the physical makeup to become a high-level two-way guard. What he needs now is to sharpen the mental side: staying disciplined on the ball, navigating screens more cleanly, and staying focused off the ball. With better awareness and consistent effort, Scoot can become the kind of defender that sets the tone, not just reacts to it. Elite defenders in Camara and Matisse Thybulle are now joined by one of, if not the best, defensive point guards in the last decade, Jrue Holiday. Scoot has a complete and full network to grow this side of his game.

Development isn’t linear, and Scoot is proving that with time and experience, the talent that made him a top draft pick is starting to show. I still expect offensive growth and a potential breakout season with the ball in his hands, but adding consistent defense to his game will elevate not just his ceiling, but more importantly, raise his floor as a future elite NBA point guard.

The pressure will ramp up again soon — especially with Lillard expected to return in the 2026-27 season. So whatever keeps Scoot’s stock trending upward within the organization, even if it’s the gritty, unglamorous work, will be critical. Next offseason could bring some major decisions, and how Scoot performs this year will weigh heavily on those choices.