Scoot Henderson was the No. 3 pick in the 2023 draft, but he’s still underperforming relative to his draft status. Henderson was inserted into the Trail Blazers lineup after Ja Morant suffered a hamstring injury but flopped. Henderson was moved back to the bench after five games in favor Sidi Sissoko but he accepted the demotion with grace, Jason Quick of The Athletic writes.
“I feel good,” Henderson said. “The rotation with Sid … I’m all for it. That’s my match. Whatever I have to do to help the team win, I’m all for it.”
Henderson could find a realistic career, Quick adds, even if he doesn’t perform at the level of a high lottery pick. Henderson will be a restricted free agent after the season.
“I’m not tripping” Henderson said. “But it can’t be worse.”
Here’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Speaking of Sissok, that is Trail Blazers posted back-to-back wins over the Thunder with a 2023 second-round pick. He averaged 18 points in those two contests. Additionally, his defensive intensity and versatility provided a boost in the starting lineup, according to Joe Freeman of The Oregonian. Sissoko will be an unrestricted free agent after the season unless he signs an extension.
- Riddled with injuries Thunder face a new reality Sports Illustrated’s Rylan Stiles expresses an opinion. They are vulnerable to poor shooting nights and are incapable of massive runs to turn things around. Stiles adds that a team that has seemed nearly immortal in recent years is a generally good basketball team without the dominance and ceiling they had just four weeks ago.
- Injuries to Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr and Yusuf Nurkich forced Jazz revise your goals, according to Shreyas Ladda of the Salt Lake Tribune. The Jazz hoped that their young core Darrin Peterson, Keyonte George and Ace Bailey will thrive surrounded by these veterans. The younger trio will be given plenty of playing time in the coming weeks, with the focus now on their development rather than their pursuit of a postseason berth.
- As he did Timberwolves coach Chris Finch prepare your team for the season? John Krawczynski of “Atletico”. spent two days during training camp watching Finch and revealed the coach’s prep work, style and the messages he conveys to the staff and players.