Blazers Officially in Scoot Henderson Era After Damian Lillard Trade

Move over Damian Lillard, it’s Scoot Henderson’s time now.

After thePortland Trail Blazerstraded Damian Lillard to theMilwaukee Bucksin a three-team deal with thePhoenix Suns, the team is officially handing the keys to the franchise to Scoot Henderson.

Henderson, the No. 3 overall pick in June’sNBA Draft, was seen as a can’t-miss prospect who could become a franchise point guard someday. That day is expected to come sooner rather than later with Lillard now gone.

All offseason long, Henderson was prepared to play alongside Lillard if he still remained with Portland, but knowing the situation at hand, the Blazers point guard was ready for whatever was thrown at him.

“If he leaves, I’m going to just embrace that,”Henderson told The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor in July. “I’m going to embrace being the point guard for the team. And that comes with practice. I don’t have my spot guaranteed; I know that. My goal is to get better every day at practice and get better game by game.”

Now, Henderson can fully embrace being the point guard for the Blazers without a franchise great challenging him for the role. He can now blaze his own trail.