Scoot Henderson's Struggles Are Becoming Impossible For Trail Blazers To Ignore

The Portland Trail Blazers have a Scoot Henderson problem, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Despite receiving an opportunity to take on a larger role with Ja Morant sidelined by injury, the former third overall pick has done very little to show that he is ready to become a consistent contributor.

Henderson's struggles were on full display in Portland's first in-season tournament game, where he finished with just two points while finding himself in a bit of foul trouble. He played 23 minutes in the game, missed two free throws and went 0-2 from the field. He also turned the ball over five times. It was another disappointing performance for a player who desperately needs to take advantage of the opportunities in front of him.

Through the early portion of the season, Henderson is averaging just eight points, two rebounds, and one assist in slightly more than 22 minutes per game. Those numbers are underwhelming on their own, but his efficiency makes the situation even more concerning. He is shooting just 31.7% from the field and an abysmal 19.4% from beyond the arc. On top of that, he is averaging nearly three turnovers per game.

For a guard who entered the league with so much excitement surrounding his athleticism, playmaking, and scoring potential, the lack of progress is becoming a legitimate concern. Henderson is still young, and there is plenty of time for him to figure things out, but the Trail Blazers need to start seeing some signs that the investment is going to pay off.

Portland has made it a priority to develop its young talent, and Henderson should be one of the most important pieces of that process. Instead, his inconsistent scoring, poor shooting, and turnover issues have made it difficult to trust him with an expanded role. Getting more opportunities is only valuable if a player can turn those minutes into meaningful production.

Morant's injury has created an opening for Henderson to show what he can bring to the table. Rather than using it as a chance to build momentum, however, he has struggled to make an impact. The Blazers cannot afford to wait indefinitely for things to click, especially as they try to establish themselves as a competitive team in the Western Conference.

It might be time for the Trail Blazers to look elsewhere for contributions from their guard rotation. His potential is still there, but potential only goes so far. The Blazers need to see tangible improvement, and they need to see it soon. Otherwise, what was once viewed as a promising part of the franchise's future could quickly become a frustrating roster problem.