Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson says he’s going to win the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year Award. The Blazers drafted Henderson with the third overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
“My goal obviously is to win Rookie of the Year,” Henderson said during a video for Playmaker. “And I will win Rookie of the Year. That’s just a mindset, a manifestation that I kind of grew. Never doubted myself, you know, making sure I’m always putting good energy in the air, making sure I’m telling myself, ‘I’m gonna have a great rookie season.’
“I’m not saying I want to have a great rookie season, I’m gonna have a great rookie season. I’m gonna have a great career. I will have a great career and making sure that’s always in just past tense because it happened.”
Henderson currently has the third-best odds to win the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year Award, per Caesars Sportsbook. The Blazers guard trails San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, who was the second overall pick in the 2022 draft. Holmgren missed his entire rookie season with a broken foot.
The Blazers went 33-49 last season and didn’t qualify for the play-in tournament. Their putrid season netted them the third pick, allowing the front office to select Henderson.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Scoot Henderson & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Henderson is ready to be the new franchise player for the Blazers if Damian Lillard is traded. Lillard has requested a trade from the Blazers and wants to get traded to the Miami Heat. The Weber State product was upset the Blazers didn’t trade the third overall pick in the 2023 draft for a star player. Portland drafted Henderson, who plays the same position as Lillard.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Scoot Henderson & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
One of the greatest players in NBA history, Lillard expressed his frustration with the Blazers in recent years for failing to construct a roster capable of making a title push. The seven-time All-Star felt the time was now to request a trade after coming off a career year. Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists last season for Portland.
The Blazers don’t have to honor Lillard’s trade request since the superstar doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. It’s going to be interesting to see if Portland trades Lillard or forces him to honor his contract.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
